Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Break Down in Istanbul as Russia Issues Stark Ultimatum

The first direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia since 2022 ended abruptly in Istanbul, with no progress made, according to multiple sources including The Guardian, AP News, and The Kyiv Independent.

Russia’s delegation reportedly walked out after demanding a full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—territories it claims as its own. Kyiv rejected the ultimatum, calling it “unrealistic” and equivalent to surrender.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that an unconditional ceasefire remains Kyiv’s priority, but emphasized Ukraine would not concede sovereign territory or abandon its NATO ambitions.

Sources noted that Russia’s delegation appeared to lack genuine decision-making authority, and the absence of both Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy cast further doubt on Moscow’s commitment to meaningful negotiations.