International/ Russia and Ukraine set for new round of talks amid stalemate

A Russian delegation will travel to Istanbul on June 2 for a second round of peace negotiations with Ukraine, though prospects for a breakthrough remain dim. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Moscow’s ceasefire terms would be discussed, but Russia has yet to submit written proposals a key Ukrainian demand.

Kyiv has already delivered its own peace roadmap, insisting on an « unconditional ceasefire » as a prerequisite for broader talks, Ukrainian officials said.

The first Istanbul meeting in mid-May yielded only a prisoner exchange, underscoring the gulf between the two sides.

While neither Vladimir Putin nor Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan voiced hopes for a future leaders’ summit involving Donald Trump.

The former U.S. president recently spoke with Putin about a potential ceasefire deal, calling their discussion « very well » despite later criticizing the Russian leader as « absolutely crazy » after escalated strikes on Ukraine.

Amid the diplomatic flurry, Germany pledged to assist Ukraine in producing long-range missiles a move Moscow warned would escalate tensions.

With Russia occupying 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, Zelensky’s government remains wary of Kremlin delays.

As talks resume, the world watches for signs of whether diplomacy can outpace the battlefield.