Delegations from Ukraine and Russia convened at Istanbul’s historic Çırağan Palace this week for a renewed round of ceasefire talks, with both sides presenting detailed frameworks aimed at halting over three years of war.

The Ukrainian delegation—led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov—submitted a comprehensive memorandum outlining preconditions for negotiations, foremost among them a full and unconditional ceasefire across land, sea, and air. Ukraine also demanded the return of deported children, a full prisoner-of-war exchange, and the release of all civilian hostages held by Russia.

The Ukrainian document reaffirmed Kyiv’s stance on national sovereignty, including the right to pursue NATO membership, and rejected any recognition of Russian territorial claims post-2014.

High-Level Russian and Ukrainian Delegations Present

Turkey hosted top-level representatives from both countries. The Russian Federation sent a high-ranking team including:

• Vladimir Medinskii, Deputy to the President
• Mihail Galuzin, Deputy Foreign Minister
• Aleksandr Fomin, Deputy Defense Minister
• Igor Kostyukov, GRU intelligence chief

Ukraine’s delegation featured:

• Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defense
• Sergiy Kyslytsya, First Deputy Foreign Minister
• Oleksandr Poklad, Deputy Head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU)
• Oleh Luhovskyi, Deputy Head of Foreign Intelligence

The Turkish hosts included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Chief of General Staff Metin Gürak, and MİT chief İbrahim Kalın.

Ceasefire Proposal Includes Monitoring and “Snapback” Sanctions

Ukraine’s proposal includes a 30-day renewable ceasefire, with monitoring by the U.S. and third-party nations, and a mechanism for lifting sanctions contingent on compliance. A “snapback” clause would allow re-imposition of penalties if violations occur.

Longer-term goals include negotiations on:

• Territorial resolution (based on pre-2014 borders)
• Economic compensation
• Sanctions relief linked to reparations

Background: From War to Diplomacy

This marks the most structured and public round of talks since the 2022 Istanbul negotiations. Amid Ukraine’s recent drone operations deep into Russian territory and escalating global security fears, the renewed talks reflect an attempt—however fragile—to explore diplomatic exits from the war.

While hopes remain cautious, the presence of top-level security and intelligence figures signals serious engagement, with a leaders’ summit potentially on the horizon should a ceasefire hold.