Russia and Ukraine to resume peace talks in Istanbul amid deep divisions

Russian and Ukrainian officials are set to meet on Monday in Istanbul for their second round of peace talks, as both sides seek a way to end the war that has now dragged on for over three years.

The talks come just after Ukraine launched one of its boldest strikes yet, targeting Russian military bombers deep inside Russian territory.

The conflict, Europe’s largest since World War II, has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and left parts of Ukraine in ruins. Despite the growing toll, a lasting peace deal remains out of reach.

This latest round of negotiations will take place at the historic Ciragan Palace, a former Ottoman residence now converted into a luxury hotel on the banks of the Bosphorus in Istanbul.

For the first time since the early weeks of the war, Russia and Ukraine are engaging in direct talks, a shift encouraged by US President Donald Trump. The two sides last met in Istanbul in May, where they agreed to a major prisoner exchange and shared their initial ideas for a possible peace framework.

However, the gap between their positions remains wide.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a message posted online Sunday, outlined Kyiv’s priorities heading into the talks. “First – a full and unconditional ceasefire. Second – the release of prisoners. Third – the return of abducted children,” he said.

Zelensky also repeated his request for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The key issues can only be resolved by the leaders,” he said.

The Kremlin has so far rejected the idea of a leader-to-leader summit, saying that more progress needs to be made in the talks first. Moscow has also continued to question Zelensky’s legitimacy, insisting that deeper “root causes” of the war must be addressed.

Those “root causes,” according to Russia, include restrictions on Ukraine’s military, a ban on joining NATO, and the surrender of territories currently occupied by Russian forces. Ukraine and its Western allies strongly oppose these demands, viewing them as part of a wider Russian attempt to seize land and dominate the country.

Despite Russia refusing to share its peace proposal ahead of the talks, officials say they will present a detailed “memorandum” during Monday’s meeting.

Tensions heading into the talks remain high, especially after Ukraine carried out a dramatic airstrike on Russian military bases over the weekend. Ukrainian officials say the attack destroyed or damaged dozens of strategic bombers stationed far behind the front lines.

The airstrike, one of the most daring of the war, may increase pressure on Russia to take negotiations more seriously. Still, both sides remain sceptical about reaching a breakthrough anytime soon.