Istanbul, June 2, 2025 – The Europe Today: The second round of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine concluded on Monday at the historic Çırağan Palace in Istanbul, following more than an hour of closed-door discussions, according to a report by media.
The Russian delegation was led by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, while Ukraine’s delegation was headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The Ukrainian team also included key figures such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the head of intelligence, and the Chief of the General Staff.
Speaking during a press conference at the Vilnius Summit with leaders of B9 and Nordic countries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the conclusion of the talks, stating that he was awaiting a detailed report from Minister Umerov.
“The delegations exchanged documents through the Turkish side, and we are preparing a new release of prisoners of war,” President Zelenskyy noted.
In a statement on Telegram following the negotiations, Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and a member of the delegation, reiterated Kyiv’s demand for the return of children who, according to Ukrainian authorities, were “illegally deported and forcibly relocated” to Russian-controlled territories.
This round of talks marked the continuation of diplomatic engagement hosted by Türkiye, which previously facilitated the May 16 negotiations—an event that resulted in the largest prisoner exchange since the onset of the conflict in 2022.
Türkiye has consistently maintained balanced relations with both Moscow and Kyiv and has reiterated its readiness to mediate, underlining its commitment to facilitating peaceful resolution and dialogue in the region.
