By Africalivenews Staff
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hailed the second round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine as “very, very momentous,” highlighting a major breakthrough in humanitarian cooperation between the two warring nations.
The meeting, which took place in Istanbul on Monday, marked a rare moment of cautious optimism in a conflict now entering its fourth year. Despite failing to produce a definitive plan for ending the war, the talks resulted in an agreement for the exchange of more than 1,000 prisoners of war and a substantial number of deceased soldiers from both sides.
A Humanitarian Breakthrough
“This is a very, very momentous development,” President Erdogan said in a nationally televised address on Monday evening. “The fact that both delegations came together, especially under the shadow of the recent attacks, shows that diplomacy still has a pulse.”
Erdogan confirmed that both countries had agreed to a significant prisoner exchange operation, which he described as a “critical confidence-building measure” aimed at reducing hostilities and easing humanitarian suffering. Additionally, the agreement includes the repatriation of a “highly significant number” of soldiers who died in combat, whose remains will be returned to their respective homelands.
“This is a matter of human dignity,” Erdogan added. “Even in war, there are moral boundaries. The commitment to return the fallen to their families is a sign that both sides are still listening to reason.”
Talks Follow Deadly Escalations
Monday’s dialogue came just 24 hours after both Russia and Ukraine launched their most aggressive drone strikes of the war. Ukrainian forces initiated a long-range drone offensive targeting key Russian air bases, causing widespread damage, according to military sources. In response, Russia launched its largest drone barrage yet, hitting multiple cities across Ukraine and severely damaging critical infrastructure.
“The timing of these talks—just a day after such heavy attacks—is itself remarkable,” Erdogan noted. “This shows resilience on both sides to explore peace, despite the odds.”
Russian Proposal Under Review
One of the key developments from the session was Russia’s submission of a written memorandum, outlining its terms for ending the conflict. Although the document remains classified, the Ukrainian delegation acknowledged receiving it and stated that it would require further analysis.
Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, who led the Kyiv delegation, said his team would need approximately one week to assess the proposal before offering a formal response.
“We received a document from the Russian side setting out their proposed conditions,” Umerov told reporters after the talks. “This is a serious matter, and we will conduct a thorough review. We aim to respond with unity, caution, and our national interests in mind.”
More Talks Expected in Late June
While no ceasefire was agreed upon, Ukraine proposed that a third round of direct negotiations take place between June 20 and June 30. According to Umerov, Kyiv remains open to sustained diplomatic engagement but remains firm on core principles such as territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“Peace is our objective, but we will not compromise on our independence,” Umerov stated. “Our proposals reflect this position. We hope the Russian side will also approach the next round of talks with sincerity and flexibility.”
Erdogan Pushes for High-Level Summit
In his address, President Erdogan expressed his desire to elevate the dialogue to a leadership level, proposing a future summit involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and potentially former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“It is my deepest wish to bring the presidents of Russia and Ukraine to the same table,” Erdogan said. “If President Trump is willing to participate in this summit, I believe it could give new momentum to the peace process.”
Though the inclusion of Trump may seem unconventional, Erdogan argued that Trump’s influence and past engagement with both leaders could provide a fresh dynamic in brokering a long-term solution.
Diplomatic sources in Ankara hinted that preliminary discussions have begun to explore the feasibility of such a summit, possibly to be hosted in Turkey this summer. The idea is also seen as a way for Turkey to reinforce its role as a neutral mediator.
Turkey’s Role as Peace Broker
Turkey has played a unique role throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict, maintaining diplomatic relations with both Moscow and Kyiv. As a NATO member with significant geopolitical leverage, Ankara has positioned itself as a trusted intermediary capable of hosting neutral dialogue.
“Turkey’s goal is not to choose sides but to stop the bloodshed,” Erdogan emphasized. “We are using every tool of diplomacy at our disposal to support a fair and lasting peace.”
This isn’t the first time Turkey has intervened. Earlier attempts at mediation led to limited agreements on food exports and humanitarian corridors. However, Monday’s prisoner exchange arrangement marks one of the most concrete outcomes from any Turkish-facilitated dialogue.
International Reactions Mixed
The international community reacted cautiously to the developments. While many welcomed the humanitarian progress, skepticism remains high about the possibility of a near-term peace deal.
A spokesperson for the European Union praised the prisoner swap but emphasized that broader structural issues—such as occupied territories and reparations—must still be addressed.
“The exchange of prisoners is an important step forward,” said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. “But meaningful peace requires a deeper commitment to justice and international law.”
The United Nations also issued a statement commending the efforts. “This is a rare ray of hope,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “We encourage both nations to continue building on this momentum through sustained dialogue.”
Next Steps
As both delegations return to their capitals for consultations, the world waits to see whether this fragile diplomatic progress will blossom into something more substantial. Analysts warn that without mutual concessions and stronger international backing, the road ahead remains treacherous.
Political analyst Daria Yushchenko noted, “While Erdogan’s efforts are commendable, the underlying issues of sovereignty, territory, and security guarantees are far from resolved. Still, dialogue is better than silence.”
With talks tentatively scheduled to resume later in June and a potential leadership summit being explored, there is cautious optimism that diplomacy might yet prevail where force has failed.
