Share this @internewscast.com

Ukraine is demanding the return of prisoners of war and “children taken by Russia,” while the Kremlin insists it will “pursue our interests” as the two countries prepare for peace negotiations on Wednesday.
Earlier ceasefire discussions have resulted in the exchange of numerous prisoners of war and the remains of deceased soldiers.
The push to end the conflict has intensified once more.

What do we know about the ceasefire talks?

The latest ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine are set to occur in Istanbul, at the same site where previous negotiations in May and June did not achieve a ceasefire, according to Agence France-Presse.

The Istanbul talks could focus on further prisoner exchanges and a possible meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP.
Russia, however, has signalled that a meaningful breakthrough isn’t expected anytime soon.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters earlier this week the two sides have “diametrically opposed” positions on how to end the war in Ukraine.
One of the main sticking points at previous meetings has been over territory, as Russia has seized swathes of Ukrainian land since its invasion began three years ago.
Ukraine continues to seek the return of the occupied territories, but Russia has shown no intent to retreat.
“There is no reason to expect any breakthroughs in the category of miracles — it is hardly possible in the current situation,” Peskov said.
“We intend to pursue our interests, we intend to ensure our interests and fulfil the tasks that we set for ourselves from the very beginning.”
Asked if he could provide a sense of how the Kremlin viewed the potential timeframe for a possible peace agreement, Peskov said he could offer no guidance on timing.

“There is a lot of work to be done before we can talk about the possibility of some top-level meetings,” he said.

Zelenskyy outlined what he is seeking in the negotiations.

“Our agenda is straightforward: return prisoners of war, return children abducted by Russia, and arrange for a meeting between the leaders,” he stated.

What happened last time?

At the time, Russia told Ukraine it would only agree to end the war if Ukraine gave up big new chunks of territory and accepted limits on the size of its army, according to a memorandum reported by Russian media.

The Russian memorandum, which was published by the Interfax news agency, said a settlement of the war would require international recognition of Crimea — a peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 — and four other regions of Ukraine that Russia has claimed as its own territory. Ukraine would have to withdraw its forces from all of them.

Peskov suggested Russia still holds this view.
“There is our draft memorandum; there is a draft memorandum that has been handed over by the Ukrainian side. There is to be an exchange of views and talks on these two drafts, which are diametrically opposed so far,” he said.
Ukraine has repeatedly rejected the Russian conditions as tantamount to surrender.
— Additional reporting by the Reuters news agency

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Why Swiss Commuters Are Taking the Plunge: A River Commute Revolution That Australia Might Need

Each summer in Switzerland, families, leisure-seekers and commuters pack their dry bags…
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 21: A general view of Bondi Beach at dawn as early light breaks on December 21, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Life slowly returned to normal at Bondi Beach, with people from all walks of life still paying respects and tributes as raw grief and funerals gave way to quiet commemorations. Police say at least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous B

Australians Unite in Grief: Commemorating One Week Since Tragic Bondi Incident That Claimed 15 Lives

At precisely 6:47 PM AEDT, exactly a week after the tragic incident,…
Patients with an aggressive form of breast cancer could soon save thousands of dollars every month as the government prepares to cover the cost of crucial medication.

Life-Saving Cancer Medication Soon Available Through Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Patients battling an aggressive type of breast cancer might soon see significant…

Bondi Lifesaver Ahmed Al-Ahmed Questions Merit of $2.5 Million Donation

Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the tobacco shop owner who was wounded after disarming one…
The final missing piece of the creature to be found was the beak and the three arms (pictured) which washed onto shore last Thursday

Unveiling Scotland’s Mystical Find: The Rare ‘7-Legged’ Octopus That Inspired Demogorgon Legends

Visitors to a Scottish beach were astounded by the discovery of a…
Prince Andrew seen in Epstein files

New Epstein Documents Reveal Andrew Pictured in Controversial Lap Scene

A photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lying on a couch has been released,…
The world's longest flight recently took its first journey, taking 29 hours and covering 12,400 miles. And while it may seem like a nightmare to some, it has been celebrated as a landmark success for long-haul travellers who no longer need to take a connecting flight. Launched on December 4, the China Eastern Airlines route sets off from Shanghai and lands in Buenos Aires. The flight from China to Argentina takes more than 25 hours, with the return journey taking four hours longer.

Record-Breaking 12,400-Mile Flight Sets New Benchmark for Longest Journey

The world’s longest commercial flight has officially taken off, marking a significant…
PM orders review into law enforcement and intelligence agencies

Prime Minister Initiates Comprehensive Review of Law Enforcement and Intelligence Practices

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a review will be conducted into…

Misinformation Regarding Bondi Incident Leads to Vilification of Pakistani Australians

As misinformation tore through social media in the aftermath of the Bondi…
Claudio Neves Valente, the suspect in Brown University shooting, at a rental car place in Boston, Massachusetts.

Reddit Sleuths Aid Police in Capturing Elusive Brown University Shooter: A Digital Manhunt

Police lights flashed for hours as law enforcement officers surrounded a storage…
FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Coast Guard's logo is seen on an helicopter on the deck of the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton at Port Everglades, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. November 22, 2021. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo

Breaking News: US Seizes Another Vessel Near Venezuela – What It Means for International Maritime Policy

Personnel from the United States boarded and seized a vessel off the…

Donald Trump Confronts Internal Criticism Over Epstein Document Redactions

Extensive redactions and the partial release of documents related to convicted sex…