Egypt Daily News – The Kremlin revealed on Saturday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is “possible,” but only if it is preceded by agreements reached between Moscow and Kyiv. This statement comes a day after the first direct negotiations between the two sides since the spring of 2022, which did not result in a ceasefire.
On the ground, the Russian army continues its relentless shelling of towns and villages in Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022. According to Kyiv, nine people were killed overnight in the north of the country.
Following a tense week, Kyiv and Moscow held their first direct talks in Istanbul since the spring of 2022, revealing just how wide the gap remains in efforts to end the war that began with the Russian invasion.
The Ukrainian delegation primarily demanded an “unconditional” ceasefire and a direct meeting between Zelensky and Putin. The only concrete outcome was an agreement on the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side, according to the Russian delegation.
Vladimir Medinsky, a second-tier adviser to President Putin and the head of the Russian negotiating team, stated that Moscow “took note” of Kyiv’s request for a summit between the two presidents.
The Kremlin confirmed Saturday that further negotiations with Kyiv are only possible after the prisoner exchange agreed upon in Friday’s Istanbul talks.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stressed: “The implementation of what was agreed upon yesterday remains to be done. That primarily concerns the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side.”
He added, “Such a meeting, which would be the result of both sides’ efforts and the conclusion of agreements, is possible. But only after agreements are reached between the two parties.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Saturday that the talks held in Istanbul between Moscow and Kyiv were “very important” for ending the war in Ukraine and restoring peace in the region.
Tough Russian Conditions
Friday’s meeting in Istanbul, which lasted less than two hours, also made clear that the positions of Moscow and Kyiv remain deeply divided.
The Kremlin continues to demand that Ukraine abandon its ambition to join NATO, cede four partially Russian-controlled regions along with Crimea (annexed in 2014), and halt Western arms shipments. Ukraine and its European allies reject these demands, insisting that the Russian army—which still occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory—seeks to expand its control further into the former Soviet republic.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has repeatedly called on Russian forces to withdraw from Ukrainian territory.
Regarding potential future direct negotiations, Dmitry Peskov reiterated Saturday that they would only be possible after the agreed prisoner exchange is carried out.
He emphasized: “What the two delegations agreed to yesterday must be implemented. First, the exchange of 1,000 for 1,000 must take place,” also referring to the need to “exchange” each side’s conditions for a potential ceasefire.
In recent weeks, Moscow has repeatedly rejected Ukraine’s offers for a ceasefire, despite pressure from European countries and the United States.
On Friday, Russian negotiator Medinsky cited Napoleon during a Russian TV appearance to justify Moscow’s stance: “War and negotiations must proceed simultaneously.”
