Russia and Ukraine fail again to agree ceasefire but commit to prisoner swap

Endless War 😥 and more people die

The second round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul ended without a major breakthrough. They agreed only to swap sick, severely wounded, and young prisoners of war (under 25) and return 12,000 soldiers' bodies. Ukraine demanded a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire, but Russia rejected it, instead proposing a short truce in some areas.

Russia repeated its tough demands: Ukraine must withdraw troops from four occupied regions, recognize them as Russian territory, limit its military, abandon NATO hopes, and lift sanctions. Ukraine called these terms unacceptable.

Both sides remain far apart. Ukraine wants President Zelensky and Russia’s Putin to meet, but no progress was made. Zelensky, speaking in Lithuania, said Ukraine must strengthen its defense since Russia shows no real willingness to end the war.

The first talks in May also failed, with only a prisoner swap agreed. The U.S. and Europe accuse Russia of delaying talks to gain more land.