Representatives of Russia and Ukraine met at the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo: AFP Representatives of Russia and Ukraine held direct talks after more than three years. They met in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday. The two countries could not reach an agreement on a ceasefire in the less than two-hour meeting. However, both countries agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each. The meeting was held at the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul. The head of the Russian delegation was Vladimir Medinsky, an assistant to President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Rustem Umerov. The goal of the meeting was to end the war that broke out between the two countries in February 2022. After the meeting, the heads of delegations from the two countries said that according to the agreement reached in the talks, 1,000 prisoners would be exchanged. This would be the largest prisoner exchange between the two countries since the war began. In addition, a ceasefire was also discussed. The two sides also discussed a meeting between the presidents of the two countries. A Ukrainian source told Reuters on condition of anonymity that one of the conditions Moscow has given for an end to the war is that Ukraine must give up some of its territory. Russia's demand is 'unrealistic'. And after the meeting, Vladimir Medinsky said that Moscow is satisfied with the results of the Istanbul meeting. They are ready to continue talks with Kiev. US President Donald Trump has been active in ending the war in Ukraine since taking office in January. US representatives have already held talks with Russia and Ukraine. Donald Trump had indicated that he might attend Friday's meeting. But that did not happen. However, Trump said that there would be no progress in the ceasefire talks without his direct meeting with Putin.
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