Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Stall Despite Prisoner Swap and Global Pressure

Russia and Ukraine have resumed peace talks in Istanbul, marking their first direct negotiations in nearly two months.

While both sides agreed to a significant prisoner exchange, there was little progress on achieving a ceasefire or arranging a summit between leaders, despite proposals involving figures like Zelenskyy, Putin, Trump, and Erdogan. The Kremlin continues to insist that its goals must be met before any real peace can be achieved, and both sides remain deeply divided on key issues.

Hopes for a breakthrough remain low, with ongoing deadly attacks in Ukraine and mounting international pressure, including threats of new sanctions from the U.S. The talks highlight the persistent challenges in ending the conflict, as diplomatic efforts struggle to overcome entrenched positions.