Istanbul: A trilateral meeting between delegations from Trkiye, Russia, and Ukraine began on Monday at Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. The talks are chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and include senior officials from all three countries. Trkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director Ibrahim Kalin is also attending the discussions.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Russian delegation includes President Vladimir Putin's advisor, Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Minister of Defense Aleksandr Fomin, and the head of the General Staff, Main Directorate, Igor Kostyukov. On the Ukrainian side, the delegation comprises Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, Security Service deputy head Oleksandr Poklad, and Foreign Intelligence Service deputy head Oleh Luhovskyi.
The Russian delegation previously received a version of the memorandum concerning a peaceful resolution from Ukraine, as stated by Medinsky. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy noted that the Russians have not yet shared their 'memorandum.'
Trkiye has played a pivotal role in bringing the parties back to the negotiating table after three years. In the immediate aftermath of the conflict, which began in February 2022, Trkiye facilitated meetings between Russia and Ukraine in Antalya and Istanbul. In May 2025, Trkiye succeeded in bringing the delegations back together in Istanbul.
Prior negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place on May 16 at the Dolmabahce Office of the Presidency in Istanbul, where the two sides agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners of war each. They also presented detailed views on a possible ceasefire and committed to continuing negotiations. The prisoner swap agreed upon in Istanbul was completed on May 25.