The meeting between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul only lasted two hours and there were no advances.

This Friday, the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in more than three years were held in Istanbul, although the meeting lasted less than two hours and left no clear signs of progress.

The meeting, held at the Dolmabahce Palace, marked the first face-to-face encounter since March 2022, shortly after the intensification of the war between Ukraine and Russia.

Expectations for significant progress were already low, and they were further reduced after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, indicated that there would be no substantial progress without a direct meeting between him and the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The absence of both Putin and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the lack of commitment at the highest level.

The atmosphere of the meeting was tense. The Russian delegation wore formal suits, while part of the Ukrainian team wore combat uniforms, an image that underscored the difference in stances.

The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, opened the session by saying: "There are two paths: one that leads to peace and another to more destruction and death. It is you who will decide."

A Ukrainian source, cited by Reuters, described the Russian demands as "unacceptable starting points" and "detached from reality," which shows the enormous gap between both parties.

According to this source, Moscow proposed that Ukraine withdraw from parts of the captured territories in exchange for a ceasefire, among other conditions considered "unconstructive" by Ukrainian officials.

Russia did not issue any immediate statement after the meeting. However, it has maintained that it wants to solve the conflict through diplomatic means and is willing to discuss a ceasefire.

Nevertheless, it raises concerns about a possible truce that Ukraine could use to rearm, mobilize troops, and receive more Western weaponry. Meanwhile, Ukraine and its allies accuse Putin of not being committed to peace and of using negotiations as a delaying tactic.

In parallel to the talks, Russia announced the capture of a village in eastern Ukraine, and just before the start of the meeting, explosions were reported in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, showing that the armed conflict continues unabated. This calls into question the sincerity of Russian diplomatic efforts.

Zelensky reiterated that his priority is to achieve a total, unconditional, and honest ceasefire as the basis for any peace process. He added that if Russia refuses to agree to this, new and more severe sanctions should be imposed against its energy and banking sector.

He also made it clear that Ukraine will not accept conditions that involve ceding territory, abandoning its aspirations to join NATO, or becoming a neutral country, proposals he considers equivalent to surrender.

Meanwhile, the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, attended Istanbul and met with key figures from Ukraine and Türkiye. Although he expressed skepticism about a possible breakthrough, he reaffirmed the U.S. stance that the violence must end.