Russia, Ukraine discuss more POW swaps; no deal on ceasefire or leaders' meeting
(VOVWORLD) - Russia and Ukraine discussed further prisoner swaps on Wednesday at a brief session of peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, but the sides remained far apart on ceasefire terms and a possible meeting of their leaders.
 The Russian delegation and the Ukrainian delegation attend the third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkey, July 23, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/Murad Sezer) |
"We have progress on the humanitarian track, with no progress on a cessation of hostilities," Ukraine's chief delegate Rustem Umerov said after talks that lasted just 40 minutes.
He said Ukraine had proposed a meeting before the end of August between Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia's chief delegate Vladimir Medinsky said the point of a leaders' meeting should be to sign an agreement, not to "discuss everything from scratch".