Fact Check: Russia ready for third round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul.

Fact Check: Russia Ready for Third Round of Talks with Ukraine in Istanbul

What We Know

On June 27, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia is prepared to hold a third round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. He stated that the specific date and time for these discussions would be determined after both sides complete the ongoing war prisoner exchanges, which were previously negotiated in Türkiye on June 2, 2025. Putin expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for facilitating the dialogue and indicated that the heads of the negotiation teams from both sides are in constant contact to finalize the meeting details (source-2, source-4).

Putin emphasized that while there are significant differences between the proposals from both sides, he remains hopeful that continued dialogue will help narrow these gaps (source-5). The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that the date for the next round of talks would be set after the completion of the prisoner exchanges (source-3, source-8).

Analysis

The claim that Russia is ready for a third round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul is supported by multiple credible sources. Putin's statements were reported by various news agencies, including Anadolu Agency and Daily Sabah, which are known for their coverage of international affairs (source-2, source-4).

The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they are established news organizations that report on significant geopolitical events. However, it is important to note that the context of the statements made by Putin should be considered. While he expressed readiness for talks, he also highlighted the existing differences in the proposals from both sides, which indicates that the path to successful negotiations may still be fraught with challenges (source-5).

Additionally, the ongoing prisoner exchanges, which are a prerequisite for the talks, add another layer of complexity to the situation. The fact that these exchanges are being facilitated by Türkiye, a country that has maintained a unique position as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, lends further credibility to the likelihood of the talks occurring (source-6, source-7).

Conclusion

The claim that Russia is ready for a third round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul is True. Putin's statements, corroborated by multiple credible news sources, confirm that Russia is prepared to engage in further negotiations, contingent upon the completion of ongoing prisoner exchanges. While the readiness for dialogue is a positive development, the significant differences in proposals indicate that achieving a resolution may still require substantial effort.