According to Reuters, Kiev said that the conditions set by Russia during the meeting were "un Acceptable" and "unconstructive".
The meeting between the two Ukrainian and Russian delegations took place at a palace in Istanbul, under pressure from US President Donald Trump to end the conflict. Although the duration was less than two hours, the two sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners between each side.
However, a ceasefire agreement could not be reached. According to a source in the Ukrainian delegation, the Russian side has made demands "far beyond all previously discussed contents", including the ultimatumors forcing Kiev to withdraw from part of its own territory in exchange for a ceasefire. The source called Moscow's proposals "unrealistic" and "impossible as the basis for any serious peace process."
Immediately after the negotiations ended, Ukrainian President Zelensky held a phone call with President Trump and the leaders of France, Germany and Poland to coordinate a common stance. Mr Zelensky stressed that if Russia continues to reject Mr Trump's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, the new sanctions must be applied more strongly.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also rejected Moscow's stance, calling Russia's demands "completely unacceptable" and saying that the leaders of Europe, Ukraine and the US are " closely coordinating" to respond in a unified manner. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union is promoting a new package of sanctions against Russia.
Russia, through the head of the negotiation delegation Vladimir Medinsky, said it had recognized Ukraines desire for a direct meeting between President Zelensky and President Putin. Although Mr. Putin was the one who proposed direct negotiations, he rejected Mr. Zelensky's call to meet in Istanbul.
Medinsky said the two sides agreed to continue negotiations after each side presented details of their prospects for a future ceasefire. However, the prospect of a peaceful solution remains uncertain.
