Overview

• The proposed talks would focus on prisoner of war exchanges, repatriation of children abducted by Russia and planning for a Zelensky-Putin leaders’ summit.
• President Zelensky has directed Ukrainian diplomats to brief host countries on the negotiation format and secure political support for Ukraine’s objectives.
• Turkey hosted two prior Istanbul rounds that produced a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap on May 16 and an all-for-all exchange of wounded soldiers plus repatriation of remains on June 2.
• Russian delegations in past talks were led by lower-level envoys such as Putin aide Vladimir Medinsky, reflecting Moscow’s limited engagement.
• The proposal underscores Ukraine’s strategy of pairing diplomatic initiatives with military efforts to seek a durable resolution to the ongoing conflict.