The first round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul: the result is an exchange of prisoners, but not peace

In May 2025, after more than three years of war, Russia and Ukraine agreed to direct negotiations for the first time since 2022 - they took place in Istanbul. The meeting lasted just under two hours and ended without a peace agreement. The only notable result was the exchange of prisoners: both sides agreed to exchange about 1,000 people, as well as the bodies of the dead. This was the largest humanitarian exchange since the start of the war. The Kremlin's reservations were predictable: Moscow demanded that Kyiv first agree to terms that included territorial concessions—full recognition of the Russian annexation and the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from the occupied regions. Ukraine called such demands unacceptable. May 2025 demonstrated that even with direct dialogue between the parties, the chances for real peace remain minimal. The negotiations became more of a prisoner exchange than a prologue to a ceasefire.