In a rare breakthrough, Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange all seriously wounded/sick prisoners of war and soldiers aged 18–25 in an "all-for-all" deal during talks in Istanbul.
The agreement, brokered by Turkey, also includes returning approximately 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers to each side.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov called it a "major humanitarian step," while Russia’s Vladimir Medinsky confirmed at least 1,000 POWs would be swapped pending verification.
Ceasefire Deadlock Persists
Despite the prisoner deal, talks collapsed over Russia’s rejection of Ukraine’s demand for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Moscow instead proposed limited 2–3 day truces in unspecified frontline areas solely to recover bodies—a move Ukrainian President Zelenskyy dismissed as "idiotic" and a "pause in killing, not peace." Russia further demanded Ukraine withdraw troops from four occupied regions, limit its military size, and abandon NATO aspirations—terms Kyiv deemed "surrender".
Talks Overshadowed by Military Escalation
The negotiations occurred amid intensified fighting. Ukraine’s "Spiderweb" operation destroyed 41 Russian strategic bombers in coordinated drone strikes deep inside Russia, causing an estimated $7 billion in damage. Simultaneously, Russia launched its largest drone attack of the war, downing 162 Ukrainian drones overnight. Kyiv framed its strikes as necessary retaliation amid stalled diplomacy, while Moscow accused Ukraine of sabotaging peace efforts.
Path Forward: Diplomacy or Dead End?
Ukraine proposed further talks in late June to address core issues, including the return of hundreds of children forcibly deported to Russia—a demand Russia deflected as "theatrics." Turkish President Erdogan reiterated hopes to host a summit with Zelenskyy, Putin, and U.S. President Trump, though Moscow insists leader-level talks require "pre-agreed terms." With no ceasefire in sight, Zelenskyy urged Western allies to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, warning: "If talks yield nothing, pressure must escalate".