Russia and Ukraine far apart on ceasefire in first meeting in 3 years
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Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky speaks to reporters ahead of a planned meeting between Ukrainian, American and Russian delegates on May 15 in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo: Burak Kara/Getty Images
Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Istanbul on Friday to discuss a possible ceasefire in the war, the first such discussions since the early days of Moscow's invasion.
Why it matters: The meeting comes after months of diplomatic pressure by the Trump administration to open talks on ending the war. No ceasefire was agreed in the initial round of talks, but the sides did agree to swap 1,000 prisoners from each side.
The latest: The meeting lasted for a little over an hour and didn't produce significant progress aside from the prisoner swap, according to a Ukrainian diplomatic source.
- The Russian delegation demanded that the Ukrainian army withdraw from several areas inside Ukraine in return for a ceasefire, the source said.
- "Russian demands are detached from reality and go far beyond anything that was previously discussed," the source said.
Driving the news: Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said Ukraine stressed in the meeting the need for a ceasefire and proposed a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian president Vladimir Putin, who initially called for a summit but then declined to travel to Turkey.
- The Russian delegation said after the meeting that it was satisfied with the talks and that negotiations will continue with each side presenting its detailed vision for a ceasefire.
- After the talks in Istanbul ended, Zelensky and the leaders of France, the U.K., Germany and Poland had a conference call with President Trump, Zelensky's spokesperson said.
- Zelensky wrote on X after the call with Trump that "Ukraine is ready to take the fastest possible steps to bring real peace" but "if the Russians reject a full and unconditional ceasefire tough sanctions must follow."
Between the lines: Trump has repeatedly raised the idea of penalties on Russia for slow-walking the ceasefire process, but has yet to follow through.
Catch up quick: Putin called for the meeting, skipped it, and instead sent a delegation led by his adviser Vladimir Medinsky.
- In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent a lower-level delegation headed by his deputy foreign minister.
- Zelensky had been preparing to meet Putin in Turkey.
Behind the scenes: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Istanbul and met with the national security advisers of the U.K., France and Germany.
- His senior adviser Michael Anton was supposed to join the meeting between Russia and Ukraine, but the Russians blocked his participation, a Ukrainian diplomatic official told Axios.
- "What do they have to hide from the Americans?" This may show that the Russians are not ready for serious peace steps and wishing simply to stall the process," the Ukrainian source said.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin did attend.
What they're saying: Before the meeting between the Russians and the Ukrainians, Rubio met with the Ukrainian and Turkish delegations for final coordination.
- "The three delegations discussed the importance of seeking a peaceful end to the Russia-Ukraine war," said Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokesperson. "The Secretary noted today's direct talks between Russia and Ukraine while reiterating the U.S. position that the killing needs to stop."
Go deeper: Zelensky, European leaders tell Trump they are ready for 30-day ceasefire
Editor's note: This story was updated with a statement from a State Department spokesperson and additional reporting.
