Russia and Ukraine began the third high-level peace talks on the 23rd (local time). This marks the resumption of dialogue after 7 weeks since the second round of talks in June.
The Russian and Ukrainian delegations began discussions around 7:50 p.m. at the Çırağan Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, according to reports from Russian state news agency RIA Novosti and other sources.
The chief representatives were Vladimir Medinsky, an adviser to the Kremlin, from Russia, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov from Ukraine. These individuals also participated in the previous two rounds of talks.
The resumption of discussions by both sides was prompted by pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. On the 14th, Trump warned that if a ceasefire agreement was not reached within 50 days, he would impose high tariffs on Russia and its trading partners. He also mentioned supplying new weapons to Ukraine.
However, due to the significant differences in positions between the two sides, it remains uncertain whether an agreement can be reached in the negotiations. Russia demands that Ukraine cede four regions occupied by Russian forces and abandon its intention to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In contrast, Ukraine refuses this and insists on issues such as the return of war prisoners and abducted children, as well as a summit meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.