Russia Presses Hard in Peace Talks as Ukraine Launches Bold Drone Strike

Istanbul – Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine resumed in Istanbul on Monday for the first time in over two years, but hopes for a breakthrough dimmed as Moscow presented sweeping demands that Kyiv rejected as tantamount to surrender.

During the brief one-hour meeting, Russia submitted a memorandum calling for Ukraine to cede control of Crimea and four additional regions occupied by Russian forces, significantly reduce its military capabilities, abandon NATO ambitions, and legally protect Russian language rights. The proposal also included controversial terms such as banning “glorification of Nazism,” a charge Ukraine flatly denies as politically motivated.

Kyiv’s delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, refrained from immediate comment, saying it would review the document. Ukraine has offered to hold another round of talks by the end of June but insists that a direct meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Vladimir Putin is needed to resolve key issues.

The two sides agreed only on a limited exchange of prisoners—focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded—and the return of the bodies of over 12,000 fallen soldiers. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan praised the meeting and expressed hope for a future summit between Putin, Zelenskiy, and U.S. President Donald Trump in Turkey, though no such meeting has been confirmed.

No Ceasefire Progress

Despite mounting international pressure—including from Trump, who called for an end to the “bloodbath”—no agreement was reached on a ceasefire. Russia reiterated it seeks a long-term resolution rather than a temporary pause in hostilities.

Two ceasefire options offered by Moscow—one requiring Ukrainian military withdrawal from occupied territories, and the other demanding an end to Western military aid and the lifting of martial law—were seen as non-starters in Kyiv.

Zelenskiy confirmed Ukraine had presented Russia with a list of 400 children allegedly abducted and taken to Russian territory. Moscow agreed to return only 10, claiming the children were relocated for their safety.

Ukraine Strikes Back: Drones Target Russian Bomber Fleet

Even as talks unfolded, Ukraine launched a dramatic military operation targeting Russia’s strategic bomber fleet. In a long-range drone strike dubbed “Spider’s Web,” 117 drones hit airfields in Siberia and northern Russia, reportedly causing significant damage.

Satellite imagery suggests Ukraine successfully struck nuclear-capable bombers, part of Russia’s strategic nuclear triad. Western analysts called the assault one of Kyiv’s boldest moves in the war.

Neither the U.S. nor the UK were notified ahead of the operation, officials confirmed, highlighting Ukraine’s operational independence.

Read more: Erdogan Offers to Host Russia-Ukraine-U.S. Summit to End War

Zelenskiy defended the strike, saying it was necessary to show Ukraine’s resilience. “We are not going to surrender or accept ultimatums,” he stated. “We don’t want war, but we will fight if the enemy does not stop.”

Stalemate Continues

While Ukraine maintains its call for a peace agreement without territorial concessions or military restrictions, Russia appears unwilling to compromise on its territorial claims or political conditions. With no ceasefire in sight and battlefield intensity increasing, the conflict seems poised to continue into a more dangerous and unpredictable phase.