ISTANBUL — Ukraine and Russia returned to the negotiating table in Turkey on Monday for their second round of direct peace talks in just over two weeks, even as both nations launched their most intense attacks in months, casting doubt on the potential for any meaningful diplomatic breakthrough.
The meetings come in the wake of a weekend that saw both sides unleash a wave of strategic strikes far beyond the immediate war zone, further straining hopes of reaching a ceasefire in a war now entering its third year.
Ukraine claimed responsibility for a spectacular, long-range attack on five Russian airbases stretching from the Moscow region to Siberia and the Arctic, destroying more than 40 Russian warplanes in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as a “brilliant operation” that had been over a year in the making.
In response, Russia mounted its largest drone offensive since the 2022 invasion, launching 472 drones across Ukraine on Sunday in a likely attempt to overwhelm air defenses, according to Ukrainian military officials.
The U.S. and its allies have ramped up diplomatic efforts to press both sides toward a ceasefire. While Ukraine has signaled willingness, the Kremlin has so far rejected any truce without territorial concessions. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, noted on Sunday that Russia appears to be stalling talks in hopes of gaining additional ground on the battlefield.
Monday’s meeting in Istanbul followed a similar session on May 17, which ended in under two hours. While the first round yielded a major prisoner swap agreement, it failed to bring the two sides any closer on core demands, including territorial sovereignty, security guarantees, and post-war reconstruction terms.
Despite the renewed talks, expectations remain low. Both sides continue to hold firm on opposing conditions, and intensified hostilities on the ground underscore the widening gap in trust and willingness to compromise.
Leading the Ukrainian delegation is Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who arrived in Istanbul ahead of Monday’s session. Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed the participation in a message circulated via the Ukrainian Embassy.
Representing Russia is Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, who reached Istanbul on Sunday evening, according to Russian state media.
Turkish officials said talks would begin at 1 p.m. local time, under the supervision of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, with senior officials from Turkey’s intelligence agency also present. However, Ukraine’s spokesperson stated a midday start, leaving a minor scheduling discrepancy unresolved at press time.
Turkey continues to position itself as a key intermediary, maintaining open communication lines with both Moscow and Kyiv while seeking to mediate energy, trade, and humanitarian corridors across the Black Sea region.
Even as diplomats met in Istanbul, the reality on the ground remained grim. Fighting rages along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front, and deep strike exchanges have become increasingly common.
On Monday, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported shooting down 162 Ukrainian drones overnight, targeting eight Russian regions as well as annexed Crimea.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force said it had intercepted 52 out of 80 drones launched by Russia overnight, though the volume of attacks indicates Russia’s intention to stretch Ukrainian air defense systems to the limit.
In Kharkiv, two Russian ballistic missiles hit a residential district early Monday. One missile struck near a school, and another landed close to an apartment building, leaving a massive crater. Mayor Ihor Terekhov described the near-miss, noting that had the missile veered just meters differently or arrived minutes later, the outcome could have been far more tragic. No casualties were reported.
The resurgence in military escalation and ongoing diplomatic stalemate sent ripples through global financial markets. Asian shares dipped on Monday amid growing investor unease, while oil prices surged, reflecting anxiety over prolonged instability in Eastern Europe and its impact on energy supplies.
Despite renewed diplomatic efforts, there is little to suggest either side is prepared to de-escalate militarily or compromise politically. Both Kyiv and Moscow appear locked in a protracted struggle, using diplomacy more as a messaging platform than a venue for resolution.
