Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks since the war began, but the meeting was cut short after just two hours. The discussions focused on a prisoner swap, suggesting that both sides remain far apart on ending the conflict. Despite this, a deal was reached, indicating that concrete agreements are difficult to achieve.
The talks were seen as an opportunity for both countries to express their positions and find common ground, but ultimately, no significant breakthroughs were made. The prisoner swap is a notable concession, yet it does not address the core issues driving the conflict.
It appears that Russia’s hard line stance during the negotiations was not met with significant concessions from Ukraine. The outcome of the talks highlights the ongoing difficulties in achieving peace in the region.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/16/russia-ukraine-talks-istanbul-peace