Russia, Ukraine Held Talks, Agreeing to Swap Captives and Meet Again. Here’s What We Know

TASS ^ | 5/16/25

[marshmallow]

The head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, said he was satisfied with the outcome of the talks and Moscow is ready to continue communication

ISTANBUL, May 16. /TASS/. Russia and Ukraine wrapped up talks in Istanbul, Turkey. The sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each country and present a vision of a potential ceasefire.

TASS has put together key facts about the meeting.

Statements by the Russian side

The head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, said he was satisfied with the outcome of the talks and Moscow is ready to continue communication. The sides agreed to a 1,000 for 1,000 exchange of prisoners of war. According to Medinsky, Ukraine requested direct talks between the leaders of the countries and Russia took this "under advisement." Moscow and Kiev would present their vision of a possible ceasefire, with each side "spelling it out in detail." The head of the Russian delegation said the sides plan to continue negotiating.

Statements by the Ukrainian side

The head of the Ukrainian delegation, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, said Kiev primarily discussed a ceasefire. He also announced an agreement to swap 1,000 prisoners of war from each side. Umerov did not disclose further plans for talks.

About the talks

The meeting at the Dolmabahce Palace started at 1:35 p.m. on May 16 and lasted about two hours. It followed a three-way meeting between Turkey, the US and Ukraine and an engagement between the head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, and the US team.

Medinsky led the Russian delegation, which also included Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin; the head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Igor Kostyukov; and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

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[rdcbn1]

Here is hoping that all the drama and posturing leading up to this meeting in Turkey was carefully managed stage craft to give all sides the political cover to make an unpopular for all sides deal.

Hey - it could happen.

[janetjanet998]

Seems like before any cease fire Ukraine must withdraw from the 4 regions
This has been the Russian demand since 2022 and they repeated that demand in late March in talks with the USA

Russia is slowly gaining more land each day in these regions militarily

From the other thread

Ukrainian media claim that the Russian delegation demanded a full Ukrainian withdrawal from four regions. When the Ukrainian side refused, the Russians reportedly stood up and warned that next time, the demand would include five regions.

[Responsibility2nd]

A two hour peace talk. They plan to meet again.

And an hour of today’s talk was to brainstorm what snacks to have at their next peace talk get together.

[janetjanet998]

After the meeting Z had a phone call with Trump

But not by himself , the “coalition of the willing” sat with Z at the table during the conversation

https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1923374538726752690

[taxcontrol]

Small progress but progress.

[crz]

There is the problem.
The Europukes will sabotage any attempt at a negotiated peace deal.

[janetjanet998]

The Europukes will sabotage any attempt at a negotiated peace deal.
—-
There are a couple other pics of them during the conversation with Trump
They don’t look happy

[hinckley buzzard]

Historically, peace talks usually go about as you described.

[SaxxonWoods]

I bet Putin is happy with this non-outcome. How’s Z?

[Honorary Serb]

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, bring peace to the Orthodox world! Amen!

[fireman15]

This entire situation has been misrepresented so completely for so long that people have bought into one false narrative after another. Propaganda is intended to play on people’s emotions primarily using their fears, sense of virtue and fair play, and keep them preoccupied with fantasies about the situation rather than the facts.

So, what is the truth about Ukraine, their situation and their leadership? And what is the truth about Russia, their situation and their leadership. If you share even a glimmer of reality here, you typically get attacked by one side much more than the other and that observation says a lot about which side is more reliant on propaganda and other forms of misinformation.

And the funny thing is that even going out of my way to present a balanced assessment and refraining from making any judgments one way or the other... we all know which side is going to have issues with a post like this one and make a fuss and accuse others of being less virtuous than they are. I don’t need to say anything more... this is almost a litmus test.

Those who are aware at some level that they are on the losing side reveal themself to us every day with their lies and attempts suppress the facts. I am just going to leave it at that in this post like a fishing lure cast into the waters.

[rllngrk33]

Trump should tell Zelinsky to step aside in the name of peace and for the good of Ukraine. He should also tell the Europeans that the US will not participate in any war with Russia and to stop playing games or we will withdraw from NATO.

[Bulwyf]

“Dear Lord Jesus Christ, bring peace to the Orthodox world! Amen!”

I second this, this is an idea I can support. Unlike a few retards on this site that want to see the entire west mobilize and fight Russia for their delusional and evil desires.