Overview

• President Trump’s 50-day sanctions ultimatum prompted third-round talks in Istanbul on July 23 attended by delegations led by Ukraine’s Roustem Oumerov and Russia’s Vladimir Medinski.
• Negotiators agreed to exchange at least 1,200 prisoners on each side, matching the limited humanitarian outcomes of previous sessions.
• Ukraine formally proposed a summit between Presidents Zelensky and Putin before the end of August to explore broader peace terms.
• Neither delegation moved on core issues such as a ceasefire, Russia’s territorial demands or Western security guarantees.
• Heavy fighting and Russian bombardments continued across Ukraine despite diplomatic efforts in Istanbul.