Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Yield Positive Signs in Istanbul

Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks: Round Two Concludes in Istanbul Istanbul, Turkey – The second round of direct peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia concluded yesterday in Istanbul under the auspices of Turkey. The talks, while not resulting in a comprehensive agreement, yielded some positive developments, particularly concerning humanitarian issues. "The negotiations were constructive," stated a spokesperson for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, "and there are signs of positive progress, especially in humanitarian areas." Ukraine's delegation, led by Rustem Umerov, proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and the release of prisoners of war. Russia's delegation, headed by Vladimir Medinsky, responded positively to the proposal for prisoner exchange and the return of Ukrainian soldiers. While no final agreement was reached, the atmosphere was described as hopeful, with the possibility of a third round of talks in the near future. The willingness of both sides to engage in direct negotiations represents a significant step towards resolving the conflict.