Russia rejects ceasefire in Turkey peace talks while agreeing to prisoner exchange
The second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey once again failed to yield any ceasefire results on Monday, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizing that Russian President Vladimir Putin “must not receive any reward for [his] war.”
Despite a memorandum of terms presented to Ukraine by the Russian delegation, Moscow once again refused to agree to an unconditional ceasefire as proposed by the U.S. and agreed to by Kyiv.
Following the talks in Istanbul, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that the Russian counterparts not only rejected the ceasefire terms but also declined a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.
During the discussions, a significant 6,000 to 6,000 prisoner exchange agreement was reached to secure the release of sick, seriously injured prisoners and those under the age of 25. Additionally, Ukraine provided a list of several hundred children illegally deported and relocated by Russia from occupied territories, although it remains unclear if Russian authorities will agree to repatriate the children.
Zelenskyy, speaking at a NATO security summit in Lithuania, reiterated his stance that Putin should not be rewarded for his aggression. The talks came just a day after Ukraine conducted a surprise drone strike, dubbed “Operation Spiderweb,” inside Russia, targeting Moscow’s military complex and reportedly destroying a third of its cruise missile carriers.
The Ukrainian president emphasized the importance of staying ahead with technology in modern warfare, stating that the attack weakened Russia’s military and demonstrated the realities of contemporary conflict.
Ukraine has been given one week to review Russia’s terms for a ceasefire, which include a 30-day land, air, and sea-based ceasefire before further negotiations can begin. The conditions also call for no restrictions on Ukraine’s military, reparations for Ukraine, and a rejection of Russian sovereignty over illegally occupied lands.
Zelenskyy reaffirmed his position that Putin should not dictate which countries can join NATO, as this would significantly impact Russia’s ability to invade Ukraine. Granting Ukraine NATO access would provide Article 5 protections, treating an attack on one ally as an attack on all allies.
The Ukrainian president stressed the need for strong decisions to end Russia’s aggression and called for collective efforts to achieve lasting peace. A future meeting between Ukraine and Russia has yet to be announced.
In conclusion, the peace talks in Turkey highlighted the ongoing challenges in resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides facing significant hurdles to achieving a lasting ceasefire and peace agreement. The international community will continue to monitor developments in the region as efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote stability persist.
