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.