ISTANBUL, May 17 – Recent diplomatic efforts to halt the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine hit a major roadblock as Russian negotiators demanded Ukraine withdraw its forces from several contested regions before agreeing to a ceasefire, according to a senior Ukrainian official familiar with the discussion.
The meeting, held in Istanbul, marked the first in-person dialogue between the two nations since March 2022. Despite its significance, the meeting lasted less than two hours and ended with little progress beyond a mutual agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war on each side. The specific timing for when the prisoner exchange will take place remains uncertain.
According to the Ukrainian official, Moscow’s representatives insisted that Kyiv must pull back its military from four key regions — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson — all of which are currently claimed by Russia, either partially or fully occupied. Only then, the official said, would Russia consider a ceasefire.
The Kremlin has declined to comment on the specifics of its demands. A spokesperson reiterated that any meaningful negotiations must remain confidential, suggesting the public disclosure of negotiation terms could damage diplomatic efforts. When asked whether a potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was on the table, the Kremlin responded that such an encounter could only happen if certain conditions were met, though those terms were left unspecified.
President Zelenskyy, speaking the following day, strongly condemned a drone strike in the northeastern region of Sumy, which resulted in the deaths of nine civilians on a bus. He labeled the incident a deliberate act of violence and renewed calls for more aggressive international sanctions on Russia.
“This was not an accident,” Zelenskyy said in a statement. “This was a targeted act meant to inflict pain on innocent people. The world must act. Without stronger sanctions and increased pressure, Russia has no incentive to pursue meaningful diplomacy.”
Russia, on the other hand, insisted that its military targeted a strategic facility in Sumy and denied deliberately attacking civilians, a claim routinely made throughout the conflict.
The demands laid out by the Russian delegation are seen as more aggressive than previous draft agreements discussed between Western powers and Moscow in recent weeks. A prior proposal, reportedly backed by the United States after consultations with both sides, called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire lasting at least 30 days — without preconditions such as territorial concessions.
In response to the new developments, Ukraine has begun reaching out to its allies for stronger collective action. Multiple Western leaders voiced their disappointment with the results of the Istanbul talks, pointing to Russia’s continued unwillingness to engage in fair and constructive negotiations.
During a press visit to Pakistan, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed skepticism about Russia’s willingness to engage in genuine peace negotiations. “Russia continues to sidestep responsibility and avoids taking the process seriously,” he stated. “How long will the world tolerate this?”
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment in the talks’ outcome. “We have gained nothing from this round,” Macron said. “President Putin’s strategy remains unchanged — stall, deceive, and destabilize.”
Meanwhile, the European Union is reportedly preparing a new round of sanctions targeting sectors of the Russian economy that remain operational despite years of existing penalties. French officials suggested the aim should be to “choke” the financial capabilities that allow Moscow to continue funding the war. However, the effectiveness of additional sanctions remains in question, given the already extensive measures imposed over the past three years.
As diplomatic tensions continue to rise, President Donald Trump has stepped in, making his presence felt in the ongoing negotiation efforts. Trump, a vocal critic of continued U.S. support for the war, has repeatedly described the conflict as “a pointless and costly mistake,” urging both parties to seek peace quickly or risk losing U.S. backing for mediation efforts.
Trump has also signaled that without tangible progress, Washington may withdraw its involvement entirely. His stance has left European leaders scrambling to maintain unity and a consistent message, especially as Trump has advocated for direct talks between Zelenskyy and Putin — something Kyiv remains cautious about pursuing under the current terms.
On the eve of the Istanbul talks, Trump stated that no real progress toward peace could be achieved unless he personally met with Putin. While the Kremlin has shown openness to such a summit, officials emphasize that any meeting must be meticulously planned to avoid diplomatic failure.
For now, the situation remains at an impasse. Ukraine refuses to retreat from territories it considers sovereign, while Russia remains firm in its demand for troop withdrawal as a precondition for halting hostilities. With thousands of lives lost, millions displaced, and the battlefield still active, the path to peace appears elusive — clouded by political interests, military strategy, and wavering international resolve.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who facilitated the latest round of negotiations, affirmed that his country would continue to serve as a mediator. But with each passing day, and with the front lines largely unchanged, the hope for a swift resolution grows dimmer.
Despite the recent prisoner exchange agreement, the lack of progress on larger issues — particularly a ceasefire — signals that the conflict is far from over. As both sides dig in, the international community must decide whether to increase pressure or explore new pathways toward a sustainable peace.