Ukraine and Russia far aside in direct talks, however prisoner swap agreed

[ad_1] Greater than three years into Europe's deadliest battle since 1945, there was a small step ahead for democracy on Friday.

Delegations from Ukraine and Russia got here nose to nose for talks for the primary time since March 2022 – one month after Moscow invaded its neighbour. The setting was an Ottoman- period palace on the shores of the Bosphorus in Istanbul.

Stress and encouragement from Turkey and the US helped get the combatants there.

There have been no handshakes, and half the Ukrainian delegation wore camouflage navy fatigues – a reminder that their nation is beneath assault.

The room was decked with Ukrainian, Turkish and Russian flags – two of every – and a big flower association – a world away from the shattered cities and swollen graveyards of Ukraine.

Turkey's Overseas Minister, Hakan Fidan, informed the delegations there have been two paths forward – one highway resulting in peace, and the opposite resulting in extra loss of life and destruction.

The talks lasted lower than two hours and sharp divisions quickly emerged. The Kremlin made "new and unacceptable calls for," in accordance with a Ukrainian official. That included insisting Kyiv withdraw its troops from giant components of its personal territory, he mentioned, in alternate for a ceasefire.

Whereas there was no breakthrough on the essential difficulty of a truce – as anticipated - there's information of 1 tangible outcome.

All sides will return 1,000 prisoners of battle to the opposite.

"This was the excellent finish to a really troublesome day," mentioned Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defence Serhiy Kyslytsya, and "doubtlessly good news for 1,000 Ukrainian households."

The swap will happen quickly, mentioned Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led his nation's delegation. "We all know the date," he mentioned, "we're not asserting it simply but."

He mentioned "the subsequent step" must be a gathering between Zelensky and Putin.

That request was "famous" in accordance with the top of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky – a presidential aide. He mentioned the Russian delegation was happy with the talks, and able to proceed contacts.

He mentioned the Russian delegation was happy with the talks, and able to proceed contacts.

That was a change from Thursday when Russia's Overseas Ministry known as President Zelensky "a clown and a loser."

However there are fears – amongst Ukraine and a few of its allies – that Russia is participating in diplomacy merely to purchase time, to distract from worldwide stress for a ceasefire, and to attempt to stave off the 18th spherical of European sanctions. The EU says they're already within the works.

And whereas the 2 sides have now sat across the desk, President Trump has mentioned the one talks that depend will probably be these between him and President Putin.

He introduced on Thursday, mid-flight on Air Power One, that "nothing's going to occur till Putin and I get collectively."

It is unclear when that assembly will probably be. The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says top-level talks are "actually wanted," however getting ready a summit will take time.