Russia rejects ceasefire while agreeing to prisoner exchange with Ukraine
- Ukrainian officials demanded a total ceasefire but Russia refused.
- A prisoner exchange agreement was reached between both countries.
- Escalating violence remains a concern as negotiations yield minimal progress.
In Istanbul, Turkey, on June 3, 2025, the second round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine ended with little progress as both sides remained far apart on resolving the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian representatives, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, reiterated their demand for a full and unconditional ceasefire lasting at least 30 days to mitigate further casualties. The meeting produced only an agreement on a prisoner exchange involving both nations, indicating that the broader contentious issues had not been effectively addressed during their discussions. Ukrainian officials highlighted that they had provided Russia with proposals for a truce a few days prior to the talks, but the Russian delegation only presented its own draft during the meeting, which further complicated efforts for a ceasefire. Moscow's conditions included the demobilization of Ukrainian soldiers and international recognition of Russian annexed territories, which Ukraine strongly opposed. Additionally, there was a focus on returning soldiers' bodies, with Ukraine set to return 6,000 Russian soldiers' remains while Russia promised to hand over 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers' remains in the coming week. Zelensky's administration remains skeptical of any serious commitment from Russia towards peace, underlining a continued escalation in violence despite some technical agreements such as the prisoner swap. Observers noted that while initial negotiation rounds had seen some degree of cooperation, significant diplomatic breakthroughs continue to dwindle. External pressures from European allies and assertions of increased sanctions against Russia were highlighted as essential to compel Moscow to pursue greater peace efforts, given the perceptions of Russia's reluctance to engage in constructive dialogue. Both sides expressed the need for further talks yet recognized the importance of direct dialogue between the respective heads of state, Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, as a critical step towards addressing the core disputes underlying the ongoing conflict. While both negotiators voiced intent to continue discussions, there remains a deep-seated distrust between Kyiv and Moscow regarding motives and commitments to peace, amplifying concerns about the future course of the war.