Kremlin takes pace from conversations – prisoner exchange planned

After a long back and forth, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have met for the first time in over three years to talk about the end of the war. After less than two hours, the negotiations were already over. After all, despite the obviously big differences, the meeting did not end with a scandal.

The pictures of the opening of the talks in the Bosphorus metropolis Istanbul showed how the two delegations sat far apart. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who formally initiated the talks with the greeting of both delegations, served as a buffer between the negotiating tables in the Dolmabahce Palace. In his opening speech, Fidan called for a quick ceasefire and underlined a central demand for the Ukrainians.

In the end, this could not be enforced. The head of the Ukrainian negotiating delegation and Minister of Defense, Rustem Umjerow, said that an exchange of prisoners of war was initially agreed. 1,000 soldiers of both warring parties should return to their homeland. It would be the largest prisoner exchange since the beginning of the war. But it is also the only known result of the conversation.

No ceasefire agreed yet

In any case, very few observers had expected a quick agreement, since Russians and Ukrainians started negotiations with different guidelines: Kiev primarily wants to negotiate a quick ceasefire so that the bloodshed ends. Then the conditions for permanent peace should then be clarified.

After the negotiation round, Umjerow also confirmed that the ceasefire was the most important topic for Kyiv. In addition, it was about a possible summit between the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, he said. He could not report results on these points.

Moscow satisfied with conversations and wants to keep talking

In his part, Russia had insisted that the negotiations about the « elimination of the causes of the conflict » were, as the Foreign Ministry in Moscow made it clear again at the beginning of the negotiation. Such conversations would have to take significantly longer – and in time it would continue to fight.

Nevertheless, the Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinski was satisfied with the discussion round. Moscow is ready for further negotiations – also about a ceasefire. « We have agreed that all pages present their view of a possible ceasefire and write down in detail, » he said after the meeting ended. Then the negotiations would go on. He did not name a specific schedule.

In an interview on Russian state television, Medinski explained that there was no reason for a ceasefire before talks. So only people talked about history, he said. « As Napoleon once said, war and negotiations are usually waged at the same time. »

Ukrainian delegation reports differences

The Ukrainian foreign office spokesman Horhij Tychyj confirmed media reports that there were hard differences in the talks. « In the negotiations, there were actually demands that we consider unacceptable, » said Tychyj, but did not give any details.

Previously, reports were circulating that the Russian side, for example, continued to be completely withdrawn from Ukraine from the provinces claimed by Russia and recognition of the annexions. « We prepared for it. The Ukrainian delegation knew that it was coming. Therefore, it kept a very reserved tone and calmly defended her line, expressed its position. We find that the Ukrainian delegation worked sufficiently effectively. »

USA: No big expectations of discussions

US President Donald Trump had already said on Thursday-after Putin’s lack of the lack of Putin-that he had no big expectations of the meeting in Istanbul. « Nothing will happen until Putin and I come together, » he said during his trip to Gulf. Foreign Minister Marco Rubio later commented in a similar way. Trump has now returned to the States from the Middle East.

Before his departure, he once again explained his willingness to meet the Kremlin chief as soon as possible to end the war. With Selenskyj, he has met twice since taking office – most recently in the Vatican at the funeral of Pope Francis. With Putin, on the other hand, he has only phoned. Otherwise, communication was carried over by Steve Witkoff.

Kremlin brakes at meetings between Trump and Putin

However, the KREML also steps on the brake with regard to such a summit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow dampened the expectations of an early meeting. This was undoubtedly necessary, he agreed to Trump’s wish for an encounter. « But a meeting at the highest level must be prepared and resulting, » he also restricted it.

Such meetings therefore always took negotiations between experts, consultations and a « long, nerve -wracking preparation », said Peskow. Moscow thus remains with his line to play temporarily. The calculation behind it: Moscow sees itself on the battlefield in the upper hand, accordingly the Kremlin expects that his discussion position only improve through delays as long as fought.

EU raises new threats of sanctions

At least from the European side, further sanctions against Russia could now follow as a consequence. At a meeting of European heads of state and government in the Albanian capital Tirana Ursula von der Leyen a proposal for a new package with punitive measures. Great Britain’s head of government Keir Strandmer declared that if there were no ceasefire, you will act together in sanctions.

According to Ursula von der Leyens, the new EU package is directed against the resumption of the operation of the North Stream gas pipelines. In addition, a reduction in the price lid for Russian oil as well as other sanctions against the Russian financial sector and against ships of the Russian shadow fleet are planned. This should hit Russia in the most sensitive place.

The new plans have nothing to do with the already negotiated 17th EU package with Russia sanctions. This is to be formally decided on Tuesday at a Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels. Among other things, it provides for a further tightening of the procedure against the so -called Russian shadow fleet for the transport of oil and oil products. It is also planned to target dozens of other companies that are involved in the bypass of existing sanctions or support the Russian armaments industry.