Official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs… (захаров · переговоры · киев)
Official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, stated that Kyiv acted unconstructively during negotiations in Istanbul this summer, yet the meeting concluded with the largest prisoner exchange to date. Zakharova: Kyiv organized a 'circus on wheels' around its talks with Russia in Turkey.
Consensus
- Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul during summer 2025.
- A large-scale prisoner exchange occurred as a result of these negotiations.
- Russia sent a delegation to the talks led by Vladimir Medinsky, aide to the Russian president.
- Ukrainian officials publicly criticized the composition and status of the Russian delegation.
- Maria Zakharova described Ukraine's behavior during the negotiations as unconstructive.
Points of divergence
- The meeting concluded with a 'largest-ever' exchange of one thousand for one thousand prisoners, according to Zakharova. — riamo
- Zakharova stated that Russia would not reject real proposals from Washington on Ukraine and mentioned signals from the U.S. about willingness to continue mediation efforts after resolving internal issues. — vesti
Coverage (2 sources)
- Zakharova Calls Talks with Kyiv in Istanbul a Circus — РИАМО
- Zakhrova: Kyiv organized a 'circus on wheels' around negotiations with Russia in Turkey — Вести