Ukraine-Russia Istanbul talks pause after less than two hours
Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul paused after less than two hours on Friday, with Russia demanding Ukrainian troop withdrawal from certain territories, deemed “unrealistic” by a Ukrainian source, Sky News reported, while Russian media TASS and RIA Novosti claimed negotiations were ongoing.
Sky News, citing a Ukrainian delegation source, reported Russia’s demands, including Ukraine withdrawing troops from some territories for a ceasefire, were “unrealistic” and “far beyond anything ever discussed.”
Russian outlets TASS and RIA Novosti stated at 3:45 p.m. that the delegations only took a break, not ended talks.
Some Ukrainian and foreign media claimed the Ukrainian delegation used a translator, but MP Oleksii Honcharenko and Russian media said Russian was used.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned that failing to secure a ceasefire would be “100% proof that Putin continues to undermine diplomacy.”
The talks, scheduled for 12:30 p.m., began an hour late due to the Russian delegation’s delay.
A trilateral meeting with Ukraine, the U.S., and Türkiye preceded the talks, where Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said Ukraine “coordinated positions with colleagues.”
RBC-Ukraine, citing unnamed sources, reported Russia objected at the last minute to U.S. and Turkish participation in the bilateral talks.
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