Turkey-Russia-Ukraine Trilateral Meeting concludes: Zelenskyy signals 'prisoner exchange'

The Turkey-Russia-Ukraine Trilateral Meeting, held in Istanbul under Turkey's mediation and aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine War, has concluded.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated, "The delegations exchanged documents through the Turkish side. We are making preparations for the release of prisoners of war."

Ukrainian Defense Minister and head of the delegation Rustem Umerov announced, "An agreement has been reached on a new prisoner exchange. Priority will be given to the severely wounded and young people." 

MESSAGE FOR A LEADERS' SUMMIT

Speaking at a press conference following the meeting, Umerov said, "We demand the release of all prisoners. We believe that all key points can only be resolved at the leaders' level. This meeting could also take place with the participation of other leaders. It would be meaningful if these efforts serve as preparation for a leaders' summit. We have proposed a meeting to the Russian side by the end of this month. We are calling for a ceasefire step, humanitarian measures, and preparations for a leaders' summit to end the war here. If Russia is serious, it must make progress on these points. Thanks to everyone who stands in solidarity with us," he said. 

Kyslytsya, a member of the Ukrainian delegation participating in the Istanbul negotiations, said, "We have brought our discussions to a point where we can achieve some concrete humanitarian results."

MESSAGES FROM THE RUSSIAN SIDE

Russian sources stated, "Russia and Ukraine have agreed on the exchange of all severely ill prisoners of war and individuals under the age of 25."

Head of the Russian delegation Medinsky said, "Russia and Ukraine have mutually delivered memorandums. Our memorandum contains the steps that need to be taken for a full ceasefire."

"IT DID NOT END NEGATIVELY"

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli announced in a statement that the meeting, which began at 14:45 at the Çırağan Palace in Istanbul, had concluded.

Regarding the meeting, Spokesperson Keçeli used the phrase, "It did not end negatively."

The Turkey-Russia-Ukraine Trilateral Meeting, chaired by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, was also attended by National Intelligence Organization (MİT) President İbrahim Kalın and Chief of General Staff General Metin Gürak.

The Russian delegation participating in the meeting included Presidential Advisor Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin, and Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff (GRU) Igor Kostyukov.

The Ukrainian delegation included Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Sergiy Kyslytsya, Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Oleksandr Poklad, and Deputy Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Oleh Luhovskyi.

TURKEY SUCCEEDED IN BRINGING THE PARTIES TO THE SAME TABLE AFTER 3 YEARS

Following the bloody war that began in February 2022, Turkey, which brought Russia and Ukraine to the same table in both Antalya and Istanbul within the same year, succeeded in bringing the Russian and Ukrainian delegations to the same table in Istanbul again in May 2025 after 3 years.

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were held on May 16 at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Working Office in Istanbul.

The two sides had agreed during the negotiations on a large-scale "1,000 for 1,000" prisoner exchange, the detailed presentation of views regarding a possible ceasefire, and the continuation of negotiations thereafter.

The two countries announced that the prisoner exchange agreed upon in Istanbul was completed on May 25.

MINISTER FİDAN'S MESSAGE OF 'CONCRETE PROGRESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE'

Delivering the opening speech of the meeting, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the following:

We have addressed the issue sincerely with both sides. I would like to thank you all for the constructive approach in the first meeting held on May 16. The parties have taken important steps. The exchange of 1,000 people each was completed in a short time. As agreed, they have also demonstrated their will to address their positions mutually today. We are thinking of taking the exchange of prisoners of war a step further. It will be possible to reduce the differences in opinion thanks to the presentation of mutual problems. Our fundamental expectation is concrete progress as soon as possible.

We find the United States' belief in and support for the negotiations important. Mr. Trump's determination has opened a new window of opportunity.

In this process, as Turkey, we are ready to take all kinds of facilitating steps. The trust that these two countries, with whom we have strong ties, place in Turkey is beyond any consideration for us. The negotiations will be decisive for our common destiny. The eyes of the whole world are focused on the discussions here. I sincerely believe that you will achieve concrete results.