More than three years into Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II, Ukraine and Russia met for their first face-to-face negotiations since March 2022 — but the high-profile talks in Istanbul concluded Friday without progress toward a ceasefire.

Held at a historic Ottoman-era palace on the Bosphorus, the meeting was brokered under mounting pressure from the United States and Turkey. Yet despite the formal venue, tensions were palpable: there were no handshakes between delegates, and several members of Ukraine’s team arrived in military fatigues, a stark reminder of the ongoing invasion.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan opened the session by urging restraint and compromise, calling on both nations to “choose peace over devastation.” However, the meeting — which lasted less than two hours — quickly exposed deep divisions.

A Ukrainian official said Russia introduced “new and unacceptable conditions,” including demands that Ukraine withdraw from portions of its own territory as a precondition for any ceasefire — a proposal Kyiv flatly rejected.

While no breakthrough was reached on ending hostilities, the two sides did agree to a significant confidence-building measure: a mutual exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war. Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya called it “potentially excellent news for 1,000 Ukrainian families.”

Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said Ukraine now hopes for a direct meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky acknowledged the request but offered no commitment.

Skepticism remains high in Kyiv and Western capitals. Many fear Moscow may be using the talks to buy time, especially as the European Union prepares to unveil its 18th package of sanctions against Russia.

US President Donald Trump, who is visiting the Middle East this week, weighed in by saying, “Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together,” hinting at his intention to play a central role in the peace process. The timing of any such summit, however, remains uncertain.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that preparations for high-level talks are underway but declined to say whether President Zelensky would be invited.

Though the Istanbul meeting marked a symbolic return to diplomacy, it yielded little in terms of substance. With Russia’s territorial demands still viewed as unacceptable by Ukraine, the conflict appears poised to continue with no clear path to peace.