Ukraine peace talks achieve little beyond prisoner swap pledge

By Charles Maynes

Published May 16, 2025 at 5:16 PM EDT

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators agree to a prisoner swap but made no major breakthroughs in Istanbul ceasefire talks.

Stories From This Author

Russia and Ukraine agree to swap prisoners but no ceasefire after Turkey talks

Joanna Kakissis

The negotiations took place a day later than planned amid low expectations for a breakthrough, after Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump opted not to go to Turkey.
Russian and Ukrainian representatives expected to gather in Turkey for negotiations

Charles Maynes

Representatives from Russia and Ukraine will gather in Turkey on Thursday for negotiations 鈥� their first since the early months of the Kremlin's full-scale invasion in 2022.
As Russia and Ukraine prepare for possible direct talks, cue President Trump

Charles Maynes

There are lots of unknowns ahead of potential direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey.