Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing for a high-stakes visit to Turkey as part of a renewed push to revive stalled peace talks with Russia, with a focus on prisoner exchanges and humanitarian issues. After months of battlefield escalation and failed direct negotiations, Zelensky’s team has developed new proposals for a possible breakthrough, but skepticism remains high on both sides about the chances for meaningful progress.
Focus on Prisoners and Humanitarian Solutions
Talks in Istanbul are set to prioritize the return of Ukrainian children and civilian prisoners taken to Russia, as well as prisoner-of-war swaps that have yielded limited results this year. Zelensky said Ukraine is “doing everything possible to bring the end of the war closer,” but did not specify what new compromises Kyiv may offer. Russia has publicly expressed openness to negotiations, but continues to maintain maximalist demands—insistence that Ukraine cede occupied territory and give up NATO ambitions.
Turkey’s Role as Mediator
Turkey, long seen as one of the few nations with communication channels to both sides, is again hosting the discussions after earlier rounds this summer ended in deadlock. Turkish and U.S. diplomats are expected to join the talks, providing international legitimacy even as many Western allies voice doubts about Russia’s sincerity and Kyiv’s willingness to make difficult concessions.
Cautious Optimism and Political Uncertainty
While Zelensky insists that direct contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin is the key to ending the conflict, the Kremlin continues to dismiss his legitimacy and has refused to confirm if Russian officials will engage directly. The planned talks illustrate the persistent complexity of negotiating peace, as the humanitarian cost of war grows and international stakeholders watch closely for signs of tangible progress.