Ukraine and Russia Resume Peace Talks Amid Escalating Tensions and Little Progress

Russia and Ukraine have restarted direct peace talks in Istanbul after a seven-week pause, but hopes for a breakthrough remain low.

The negotiations, which lasted less than an hour, resulted in agreements for further prisoner swaps but no progress toward a ceasefire or a leaders' summit. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Putin, while Russia insists its war objectives must be met before peace can be achieved. The talks are taking place under the shadow of renewed fighting, ongoing deadly attacks, and external pressure from the U.S., including threats of new sanctions.

Both sides remain deeply divided on the terms for ending the conflict, with little indication that a resolution is near.