The highly anticipated second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul concluded just an hour after they began, with little progress made on the key issues surrounding the ongoing conflict. The meeting came just hours after a massive drone strike targeted an oil depot in Russia’s Siberian region, marking the first such attack within Russian territory since the start of the war.
While the discussions did result in some agreement on the exchange of prisoners of war and the repatriation of the remains of deceased soldiers, the core demands of both sides remained unresolved. Ukrainian negotiators had hoped to make headway on ceasefire terms and the withdrawal of Russian forces, but these critical matters were left largely unaddressed in the brief session.
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak expressed disappointment with the lack of substantive progress, stating, “There are small positive shifts in the logistics of humanitarian corridors. On other issues, the positions practically remain unchanged.” His Russian counterpart, Vladimir Medinsky, struck a more optimistic tone, claiming that the negotiations had been “difficult but necessary” and that the two sides would continue to work towards a resolution.
The drone attack earlier in the day, which targeted an oil storage facility in the Siberian city of Belgorod near the Ukrainian border, added a new level of complexity to the discussions. Russia promptly accused Ukraine of orchestrating the strike, which caused a massive fire and prompted the evacuation of nearby residents. Ukrainian officials have not yet claimed responsibility for the incident, but the attack represents a significant escalation in the conflict and a potential further strain on the fragile negotiations.
With the talks ending in a disappointing stalemate, the prospects for a swift resolution to the war remain unclear. Both sides appear to be digging in on their core demands, and the recent drone strike has only heightened tensions and added to the uncertainties surrounding the path forward. As the conflict enters its second month, the people of Ukraine continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing violence and upheaval, with no clear end in sight.
