Russia and Ukraine will hold their next round of peace negotiations in Istanbul on June 2, as both sides signal cautious optimism about advancing a sustainable resolution to the conflict. The talks follow months of stalled diplomacy and come amid renewed international efforts to broker a ceasefire.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the planned meeting on Wednesday, stating that Kyiv awaits a formal peace memorandum from Moscow ahead of the discussions. "We are not opposed to further meetings with the Russians and are awaiting their memorandum, so that the meeting won't be empty and can truly move us closer to ending the war," Umerov wrote in a Facebook post.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized Moscow’s commitment to the process, announcing that Russia has proposed the June 2 date for direct negotiations. "We hope that all those who are sincerely, and not just in words, interested in the success of the peace process will support this," Lavrov said in a statement.
The development follows a May 16 meeting in Istanbul—the first face-to-face talks between the two nations since March 2022. Diplomatic momentum has since intensified, with Lavrov holding a call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss Washington’s role in facilitating dialogue. Rubio reiterated former U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to ending the conflict swiftly, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry readout.
Analysts suggest the involvement of global powers like Türkiye and the U.S. could help bridge gaps, though significant challenges remain. Both Kyiv and Moscow have exchanged draft proposals, with Umerov confirming he handed Ukraine’s position to Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky.
As the world watches, the Istanbul talks could mark a pivotal moment in a conflict that has reshaped global security and economic dynamics. Stakeholders across Asia and beyond are closely monitoring outcomes that may influence regional stability and international trade corridors.
