Third round of negotiations in Istanbul also establishes release of detained military and includes Russian request for return of 20 children
Representatives from Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement to exchange civil and military prisoners. The understanding was achieved on Wednesday (23.Jul.2025) in the 3rd round of negotiations held in Istanbul, Türkiye, and marks the 1st Return of Civilians between the countries. The meeting lasted about 40 minutes.
The negotiations expanded the scope of previous agreements, which focused mainly on military prisoners. Russian Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs handed over to Ukraine a list of 20 Russian children who remain in Kiev or were taken to (European Union) countries, requesting their return to Moscow.
Galuzin stated that Russian authorities maintain constant care with Ukrainian children and that the country works “Scrupulous and carefully” in Kiev requests related to them. Stated to wait “reasonably” that the Ukrainian side “Show the same attitude attentive to Russian children”.
According to the Russian agency Tassboth will decide on the 4th round of negotiations after the execution of the latest agreements.
Istanbul has served as a neutral place for talks between Russians and Ukrainians, with Turkey acting as a mediator in the process.
In the first round of negotiations, on May 16, in Istanbul, the parties agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners on each side and interchange memos on ways to resolve the crisis.
Already at the 2nd meeting, on June 2, the representatives of the MEMORands of a peace agreement. In this meeting, they also agreed to exchange seriously injured prisoners and bodies.
