The first direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in more than three years concluded in Istanbul on Friday, ending without progress as Ukraine rejected what it described as "unacceptable" new territorial demands from Moscow.

A Ukrainian official told AFP that the Russian delegation, headed by Kremlin advisor Vladimir Medinsky, had introduced conditions that went “beyond anything discussed before”, including the ceding of additional territory in exchange for a ceasefire.

Talks Mark First Direct Meeting Since 2022

The face-to-face negotiations—held at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace—were the first since March 2022, just weeks after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Turkish television aired footage of both delegations meeting in the presence of Turkish diplomats, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan opening the session in what Ankara described as a sign of diplomatic momentum.

However, the talks were overshadowed by Ukrainian frustration over Moscow’s proposals and the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to decline attending.

U.S. Role Sparks Tensions

A senior Ukrainian official accused Moscow of trying to sideline U.S. officials from the process.

“The Russians are trying to get rid of the Americans by every possible means,” the official told AFP, alleging that Moscow feared third-party accountability during the talks.

Despite the friction, the U.S. was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador Tom Barrack, and Special Envoy Keith Kellogg, who held trilateral meetings with Turkish and Ukrainian officials earlier in the day.

On the sidelines, U.S. policy chief Michael Anton met behind closed doors with Russia’s lead negotiator Medinsky at a separate Istanbul venue.

Zelensky: Russia Must Be Serious

Ahead of the talks, Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Zelenskyy, stated that Kyiv would not accept a return to the failed 2022 negotiation framework, asserting that Russia was using the meeting to deflect international scrutiny.

“We need to understand the level and mandate of the Russian delegation,” Zelensky’s team said. “Ukraine is here for a just and lasting peace.”

Zelensky’s delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustam Umarov, included a 12-member team of senior military officers, intelligence officials, and presidential advisors. The Ukrainian side emphasized the importance of transparency, while the Russian Foreign Ministry hinted at the possibility of a written framework for a future agreement—should Ukraine meet its conditions.

Crimea, NATO, and “Terrorist Labels” Remain Sticking Points

The key roadblocks remain unchanged: Russia insists on territorial concessions—including in Donetsk and Crimea, the abandonment of Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, and neutrality guarantees. Ukraine firmly rejects these terms as tantamount to surrender.

Kyiv’s primary objective remains what it calls a “just and lasting peace”, with the exact framework of the talks remaining confidential.

Turkey’s Diplomatic Role Expands

Turkey hosted two tripartite meetings during the day, first between Turkey, Ukraine, and the U.S., and then between Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan chaired both sessions, reinforcing Ankara’s role as a key mediator in the conflict.

While a potential four-way meeting (U.S., Russia, Ukraine, Turkey) had been discussed, no final decision was made, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

No Breakthrough, but Dialogue Resumes

Despite the lack of an agreement, the Istanbul talks mark a rare moment of direct dialogue between the warring sides.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it does not rule out a document emerging from the Istanbul process, but emphasized that Kyiv must demonstrate readiness for peace.