Russia and Ukraine are set to hold a second round of peace talks in Istanbul on Monday, as confirmed by Turkey's Foreign Ministry. The meeting comes amid intensified military actions, including Ukraine's reported strike on Russian strategic bombers hours before negotiations. 🔥
Ukraine's Roadmap to Peace
Kyiv has proposed a 30-day ceasefire as the first step, followed by prisoner exchanges and the return of children from Russian-held areas. President Zelenskyy insists a face-to-face summit with Putin is crucial to resolving the conflict. 💬 The Ukrainian delegation now includes 14 members, with Defense Minister Rustem Umerov leading the team.
Russia's Counterplay
Moscow's delegation remains unchanged, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. The Kremlin has prepared a draft memorandum for a ceasefire, with Black Sea navigation safety potentially on the agenda. 🕊️ While details stay under wraps, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized progress in Istanbul talks as a prerequisite for any U.S.-hosted trilateral summit proposed by Donald Trump.
Why This Matters
With global food and energy markets hanging in the balance, these talks could shape geopolitics for years. Young professionals and students worldwide are watching closely—will diplomacy triumph over destruction? 🌐
