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What was at stake before the Istanbul talks?
Summary
A retrospective on the diplomatic positions taken in the days around 16 May 2025, as a proposed meeting in Turkey drew near.
What did each side want as the prospect of direct Russia-Ukraine talks took shape? On 16 May 2025, the question followed a run of announcements from 11 May that had set the terms for a possible meeting in Istanbul.
The proposal
On 11 May, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey, on 15 May. His proposal came after the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Poland threatened further sanctions if Russia did not agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire beginning on 12 May.
Kyiv's condition
On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Russia to confirm an unconditional ceasefire before any direct negotiations between the two countries took place. The two positions pointed in different directions: Moscow offered talks, while Kyiv asked for a ceasefire first.
The wider aims
The goals each leader brought to the table were broad. As later described, Putin has sought recognition of all occupied land as Russian, guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO, curtailment of Ukraine's military and the lifting of sanctions against Russia. Zelenskyy has sought a ceasefire, full withdrawal of Russian troops, the return of prisoners and kidnapped Ukrainian children, prosecution of Russian leaders for war crimes, and security guarantees against further Russian aggression.
A humanitarian appeal
Also on 11 May, Pope Leo XIV used his first Sunday address to call for peace in Ukraine. He urged the release of all war prisoners and the return of abducted Ukrainian children to their families, together with an immediate ceasefire. He made similar appeals on Gaza and on the India–Pakistan conflict.
The children's issue has been documented at length. According to later accounts, Russia has forcibly transferred almost 20,000 Ukrainian children to areas under its control and created obstacles to their reunification with their parents and homeland. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Putin and for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's Children's Rights Commissioner, over their alleged involvement.
Looking back
By 16 May 2025, the framework was in place: a sanctions threat from four European states, a Russian offer of talks in Istanbul, a Ukrainian demand for a confirmed ceasefire first, and a papal call for prisoners and children to be returned. The gap between the stated aims of Moscow and Kyiv was wide, and the sequence of steps was the immediate point of difference.
