A second round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have ended without a major breakthrough, and only a deal to swap more prisoners of war.
Ukrainian negotiators said Russia had again rejected an “unconditional ceasefire” – a key demand by Kyiv and its allies in Europe and the US – but the two committed to return the bodies of 12,000 soldiers.
The Russian team said it had proposed a two- or three-day truce “in certain areas” of the vast front line, but gave no further details.
At Monday’s talks, which were held in the Turkish city of Istanbul and lasted just over an hour, the two sides did agree to exchange all sick and heavily wounded prisoners of war, as well those aged under 25.
We knew that a general ceasefire would not result; it is the fact that the two sides are communicating that is most important. A prisoner exchange is positive. There is still hope that this stupid war can be brought to an end before we get every last Ukrainian killed.
The US/EU/NATO-imposed sock puppet dictator in Kiev can talk as tough as he wants. Lindsey Grahamnesty and her band of fools in the Senate can talk as tough as they want, too. But Russia will eventually get what Russia wants.