After approximately 1.5 hours, the second round of negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the Chiragan Palace in Istanbul was completed.

Official briefings from both sides are now expected, which will reveal the topics discussed and whether any new agreements were reached.

The process began with a brief introductory speech by Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan. The head of Turkish diplomacy particularly referenced the role of the United States in ending the war in Ukraine, stating: “We consider the trust and support of the United States in these talks to be extremely important. President Trump’s determination to restore peace has opened a new window of opportunity.”

Fidan said that in this round of talks, “we will discuss preparations for the leaders’ meeting. The main thing is to ensure sustainable peace,” and reiterated that Turkey is ready to take “any kind of facilitation steps in this process.”

He also referred to the prisoner exchange, 1,000 from each side, which was agreed upon in the previous round of talks in Istanbul on May 16, adding that “the eyes of the whole world are on the contacts and discussions you will have here. We genuinely believe you will make the most of this opportunity and achieve specific results that bring us one step closer to peace.”

“The main goal is to ensure sustainable peace,” said Turkey’s Foreign Minister among other things at the start of the talks at the former Chiragan Palace on the Bosporus.

Today, Ukrainian and Russian delegations convened at the historic Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, marking the second round of negotiations amid ongoing conflict. The talks commenced shortly after 2:30 p.m., with Turkey playing the role of mediator, aiming to restart a process of diplomatic dialogue that has gained significant international attention.

Hakan Fidan, who chairs the negotiations, expressed hope that the discussions would be productive, emphasizing Turkey’s readiness to support any necessary steps toward resolving the crisis. He also highlighted that President Erdoğan maintains communication channels with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, seeking to advance meaningful agreements. In this context, there is optimism that the talks could make progress on humanitarian issues, and there is a possibility that the conflicting parties might meet at the leadership level.

The Russian delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, is already on-site, with an official statement expected after the negotiations conclude, according to Russian diplomatic sources. Prior to the start of talks, the Ukrainian delegation, headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, arrived at Ciragan Palace around 1 p.m., accompanied by senior officials including Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislitsa and Oleksandr Puklond, head of Ukraine’s Security Service.

Meanwhile, reports emerged of a bomb threat at the palace, which was subsequently checked and found to be harmless. The presence of İbrahim Kalın, Turkey’s senior intelligence official, underscores the importance Turkey attaches to overseeing the negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, currently attending the NATO summit in Vilnius, reiterated Ukraine’s firm stance on demanding an unconditional ceasefire, emphasizing discussions on humanitarian issues, the return of children, and prisoner exchanges. In remarks, he stated that the Ukrainian delegation is already in Constantinople preparing for the talks and expressed hope that Russia will engage constructively, as opposed to repeating ultimatums. He warned that if Russia does not move toward meaningful dialogue, significant developments could follow.

Prior to the negotiations with the Russian delegation, Ukrainian representatives held meetings with officials from Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom to coordinate their positions. The developments have led to questions about the prospects for a potential peace agreement, with the international community closely monitoring the negotiations at Ciragan Palace with cautious optimism.