US Edition
Russia and Ukraine Agree to Large-Scale Prisoner Swap, Core Disputes Remain Unresolved
- On May 16, 2025, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks in over three years in Istanbul, agreeing on a large prisoner swap but not on ending the conflict.
- The talks followed months of diplomatic pressure and a Ukrainian request for a heads of state meeting, while Russia introduced new territorial demands that Ukraine deemed unacceptable.
- Both parties exchanged detailed ceasefire proposals, with Kyiv emphasizing the need for a prompt halt to hostilities and a route toward meaningful diplomatic negotiations supported by Western allies.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the prisoner exchange as a step to build trust and noted that the involved parties have tentatively agreed to hold another meeting, while Trump encouraged taking immediate action, saying, "I think it's time for us to just do it."
- Despite the prisoner exchange, core disputes remain unresolved, with Zelenskyy and Western leaders stressing that pressure on Russia must continue until it agrees to end the war.
585 Articles
585 Articles
Activist Post
TheAltWorldThe Istanbul kabuki – decoded
The endgame is clear: the US losing the entire Eurasian land mass. Ukraine, under these immense geopolitical imperatives, is only a sovereign-deprived pawn in the (Great) Game. Did President Putin really change the game by proposing the resumption of negotiations on the proxy war in Ukraine in Istanbul – over three years after the first ones were scotched by NATO? It’s complicated. And depends on which “game” we’re talking about. What the Russia…
Ukraine War: "The only Ones that Could Slow Down the Russians Are the Chinese"
After the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, it is open whether they will continue. Concrete plans for further meetings were not mentioned by the representatives of the conflict parties. Our correspondent Christoph Wanner reports from Kiev.
Herald Bulletin
Ukraine-Russia political theatrics underscore stark realities on the ground as war grinds on
Ukrainian officials and analysts say Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has few options but to draw U.S. President Donald Trump’s ire against Vladimir Putin, while depending on Europe’s support. Ukraine’s strategy since U.S.-brokered peace talks were launched is to convince the…
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