Overview

• The third round of high-level talks on July 23 in Istanbul lasted about 40 minutes without any breakthrough on an immediate ceasefire or leaders’ summit
• Delegations committed to exchange at least 1,200 prisoners, repatriate detained Ukrainian children when located, and return the remains of some 3,000 Ukrainians
• Ukraine pushed for an unconditional ceasefire and a summit by the end of August while Russia offered only a 24–48-hour truce and insisted on detailed peace conditions first
• Intensified Russian missile and drone strikes have raised doubts about prospects for deepening ceasefire discussions
• President Trump’s warning of secondary tariffs on nations trading with Russia if no ceasefire emerges within 50 days adds fresh pressure on both sides