ISTANBUL — High-level delegations from Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine convened in Istanbul on Monday for a trilateral meeting aimed at reviving momentum for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war.
The talks, held at the historic Ciragan Palace, are chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and include the participation of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director Ibrahim Kalin. This marks the first time in three years that all three countries have sat at the same negotiating table since Turkey’s previous mediation efforts in Antalya and Istanbul in 2022.
Russia’s delegation is led by President Vladimir Putin’s advisor Vladimir Medinsky, with senior officials including Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin, and Igor Kostyukov, head of the General Staff’s Main Directorate.
Ukraine’s delegation includes Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, as well as senior representatives from the Security Service and Foreign Intelligence Service. Medinsky confirmed that Russia had received a peace memorandum from Ukraine, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv had yet to receive a response.
The renewed dialogue follows a significant prisoner exchange deal reached in Istanbul on May 16, in which both countries agreed to release 1,000 prisoners of war each—a move seen as a confidence-building measure. The swap was completed on May 25, laying the groundwork for further negotiations. Both sides are expected to present detailed proposals concerning a possible ceasefire in the coming days.
