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The meeting between Ukrainians and Russians, mediated by Turkey, lasted one hour

JTFMax:

In the gilded halls of a former palace-turned-luxury hotel in Istanbul, Ukraine and Russia once again pulled up chairs for peace—sort of. The latest round of talks, clocking in at just about an hour, ended without a ceasefire or a headline-making handshake. Still, there were smiles, nods, and, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, no “negative outcome.” Which is a bit like saying the souffle didn’t rise, but at least it didn’t collapse either.

This second meeting, coming two weeks after the last diplomatic dance, was held under heavy chandeliers and heavier expectations. While the room was filled with polite words and polite distance, the Turkish hosts remained cautiously upbeat. They hinted at progress on prisoner exchanges and the evaluation of ceasefire conditions—though not a single binding agreement emerged.

What did land on the table, though, was a proposal from Russia for a temporary, two- to three-day truce in specific frontline zones. Not for peace, mind you, but to recover fallen soldiers’ bodies. Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky made the offer sound humanitarian, but it underlined just how dire and grinding the conflict remains.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as ever, kept the broader goals in focus: a true ceasefire, humanitarian aid, the release of prisoners of war, and the return of thousands of children Kyiv says were forcibly taken to Russia. To date, more than 1,000 of the over 19,500 reportedly abducted minors have been brought back, thanks to international mediation.

Zelensky’s team came with a “clear agenda” and even dared to hope for “good and significant news”—if, that is, Moscow decided to play ball. Russia, true to form, responded with a vague memorandum and no public release. Not exactly diplomatic fireworks.

Still, beneath the surface, more than posturing may be at play. Both sides appear to be testing the waters for a potential face-to-face between Zelensky and Putin. That meeting, if it happens, could redefine the shape of the war—or just provide another photo op in a velvet-draped room.

Meanwhile, the diplomatic drumbeat continues. Germany, Italy, Britain, and even the U.S. are now vocally backing Ukraine’s push for peace. Turkish FM Fidan even singled out President Trump’s “determination” in support of the effort, adding a touch of geopolitical theater to the proceedings.

More than three years into the brutal war and with roughly 20 percent of Ukraine still under Russian control, peace remains elusive—but Istanbul’s talks remind the world that even the smallest steps might eventually lead somewhere. Or at least to another meeting in another palace.