Russia, Ukraine Reach Humanitarian Agreements, Discuss Ceasefire During Third Round Talks in Istanbul

During the third round of peace talks held in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine made limited progress, agreeing only on a prisoner exchange involving at least 1,200 detainees each and the return of bodies of deceased soldiers. Russia proposed short-term ceasefires of 24 to 48 hours to facilitate humanitarian efforts such as evacuating the wounded and retrieving bodies, while Ukraine seeks a broader, longer-lasting ceasefire, which Moscow has rejected. Russian negotiators also suggested forming three working groups focused on political, humanitarian, and military issues to build a framework for further negotiations. Both sides acknowledged significant differences in their positions, with Russia emphasizing the need to finalize terms before any potential summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, while Ukraine continues to push for a face-to-face meeting possibly by late August. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the humanitarian agreements reached as positive but cautioned against expecting a breakthrough, emphasizing the complexity of the talks and the need to complete groundwork before any leaders' meeting. The ongoing conflict continues to impose a heavy toll on civilians, and while direct talks offer some hope, a firmer negotiation framework is needed to achieve substantive progress.