Roman Sheremeta

May 16, 2025

Meeting between Ukrainian and russian delegations is taking place in Istanbul.

The Ukrainian side includes Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, as well as deputy heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Security Service (SBU), and Defense Intelligence (HUR).

Before the meeting, Umerov wrote that peace is possible if there is a complete 30-day ceasefire, the deported children are returned to Ukraine, and a prisoner exchange is conducted under the “all for all” principle.

It looks like the russian side is planning to reject ceasefire. And will head straight to the airport after the meeting.

In other words — the russians didn’t come to talk. They came to issue demands. Again.