Negotiations in Istanbul have concluded: Media reported Russia's demands.

Negotiations in Istanbul: Russia's demands are 'unrealistic'

The meeting between the delegations of Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey in Istanbul ended after nearly two hours of negotiations. According to some reports, the parties took a break.

According to Reuters,

the Russian side has presented demands that Ukrainian diplomatic sources call 'unrealistic' and 'far beyond all previously discussed conditions'

The main demand from Russia was the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Ukrainian territory to cease hostilities. The agency's source also reported that Russian demands include a range of other 'non-standard' and unacceptable conditions.

"Russia's conditions are unrealistic and far exceed all previously discussed demands," stated the Ukrainian diplomat in a comment to Reuters.

Direct negotiations between delegations of Ukraine and Russia

Today, May 16, 2025, the first direct negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia in three years took place at the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul. The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and included the head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.

At the insistence of the Russian side, the negotiations were held without the presence of U.S. representatives, which the Ukrainian side regarded as 'hindering peaceful efforts'

Even before the negotiations began, the Ukrainian delegation received intelligence about Russian intentions to leave Istanbul immediately after the meeting, without remaining for further negotiations on ceasefire.

The head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak stated on social media the day before: 'The Russians want to build associations with 2022. But everything that ties today's negotiations—this is exclusively the city of Istanbul. And nothing more. All attempts by the Russians to connect today with 2022 will not work.'

Ukraine has identified as its priority a complete and unconditional ceasefire, as well as discussions on a possible meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin.

Let us recall that Zelensky warned Russia against fake negotiations in Istanbul.

In addition, Trump announced a conversation with Putin: 'We will solve this problem, or it will be very interesting.'