Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine and Russia will resume peace talks this Wednesday in Istanbul, offering a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing war that has entered its third year. In his daily address on Monday, Zelensky revealed that preparations are underway for both the discussions and another prisoner exchange.
“Umerov reported that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,” Zelensky said, referring to Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine’s Security Council.
The meeting comes on the heels of heightened international pressure, including a stern warning from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump recently threatened Russia with “severe” sanctions should a ceasefire not be reached within 50 days. In a separate statement, Trump expressed his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, telling the BBC he was “disappointed” but “not done” with the Kremlin leader.
The upcoming talks follow two earlier rounds held in Istanbul in May and June, which led to a series of prisoner swaps but fell short of advancing toward a ceasefire. A senior Ukrainian official told AFP that this week’s discussions may cover additional prisoner exchanges and could pave the way for a face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
Despite these efforts, hopes for a breakthrough remain tempered. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed expectations, stating the two sides remain “diametrically opposed” and that “a lot of diplomatic work lies ahead.”
Meanwhile, violence on the ground continues unabated. A Russian glide bomb strike on an apartment block in Kramatorsk killed a child early Tuesday, according to local officials. Kyiv also came under heavy drone and missile fire, and Ukrainian forces reported repelling over 50 Russian attacks in the eastern Pokrovsk region.
Turkey’s involvement as a mediator highlights its ongoing role in attempting to bridge dialogue between the two warring nations. Talks will be held in the same Istanbul venue where earlier negotiations stalled.
While the road to peace remains fraught, the resumption of dialogue reflects a shared recognition however faint of the urgent need to end the devastating conflict.
