On June 2, 2025, second round Istanbul negotiations. Atmosphere more tense than first round.
Participants: Same delegations (Lavrov, Kuleba), Erdogan.
Results:
- Agreement to exchange 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers (3,000 per side)
- No progress on political issues
Russian proposal (not accepted):
- "Memorandum with conditions": Ukraine recognizes de facto Russian control over occupied territories in exchange for "pause" in hostilities
- No troop withdrawal
- No permanent NATO membership
- "Special status" for Crimea and Donbass
Ukraine response: Total rejection. Kuleba: "This is not peace proposal, it's disguised surrender proposal".
Ukrainian counterproposal (not accepted):
- Russian withdrawal to 1991 borders (including Crimea)
- Binding international security guarantees
- War reparations
- War crimes tribunal
Russian response: "Unrealistic and provocative".
Dialogue breakdown: After 8 hours of failed negotiations, delegations leave Istanbul without agreement for third round.
Why it failed: Irreconcilable positions. Russia wants to freeze territorial conquests, Ukraine wants restoration of territorial integrity. No external pressure sufficient for compromise.
Current situation: War continues. Negotiations suspended sine die.