At a high-stakes meeting in Istanbul, Russian negotiators reportedly demanded sweeping territorial concessions from Ukraine as a condition for a ceasefire, according to a senior Ukrainian official familiar with the closed-door talks. The negotiations marked the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years and were seen as a potential step toward ending the ongoing conflict. However, they concluded without a ceasefire agreement.
The Ukrainian official, who spoke anonymously, said Moscow demanded that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regionsterritories partially occupied by Russian troops. This condition went significantly beyond a recent U.S.-drafted peace proposal, which had not included such a demand.
In addition, Russia sought international recognition of its control over five Ukrainian regions: Crimea, annexed in 2014, and the four partially occupied territories. The U.S. draft had proposed only limited recognition de jure for Crimea and de facto for other regionshighlighting a clear divergence in positions.
Russia also insisted on Ukraine’s neutrality, banning foreign troops on its soil and prohibiting weapons of mass destruction. These stipulations, also absent from the U.S. plan, appear aimed at curbing Western military influence in the region. Another controversial demand was that all sides forgo war reparations a condition directly opposing the U.S. draft, which included compensation for Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the reported terms, emphasizing the need for confidentiality. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have dismissed the Russian proposals as unworkable, suggesting they indicate a lack of serious intent from Moscow.
Though the talks yielded an agreement on a prisoner exchange, broader progress remains elusive. Kyiv’s European allies have since urged U.S. President Donald Trump to impose additional sanctions on Russia, signaling growing frustration with Moscow’s hardline stance.
The U.S.-proposed peace framework, developed by envoy Steve Witkoff after discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, had aimed for a more incremental approach. An alternative draft backed by Kyiv and European leaders called for an immediate ceasefire before any territorial negotiations—underscoring the deep divisions that still stand in the way of peace.
