2nd round of Russia-Ukraine talks concludes in Istanbul

By Elena Teslova and Burc Eruygur

MOSCOW/ISTANBUL (AA) - The second round of the Russia-Ukraine peace talks concluded in Istanbul's Ciragan Palace on Monday after over an hour, an Anadolu correspondent reported.

Russia was represented by a delegation led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, while Ukraine's delegation was headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

The Ukrainian delegation also included the foreign minister, head of intelligence, and chief of the General Staff.

Speaking in a press conference at the Vilnius Summit with B9 and Nordic countries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the end of talks, saying he was waiting for Umerov's report.

"They (delegations) exchanged documents through the Turkish side, and we are preparing a new release of prisoners of war," he said.

Following the talks, Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office and a member of the delegation, said on Telegram that Ukraine demanded the return of children, who, according to Kyiv were "illegally deported, forcibly relocated" to the Russia-controlled territories.

Istanbul also hosted the previous round of talks on May 16, which had resulted in the largest prisoner swap between the two countries since the start of the Moscow-Kyiv conflict, now in its fourth year.

Türkiye has maintained close ties with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the war and has repeatedly offered its mediation to facilitate dialogue and peace efforts.