Russia has presented a detailed draft memorandum to Ukrainian negotiators aimed at securing long-term peace and a full ceasefire.
The document, handed over during the second round of peace talks held in Istanbul, is currently under review by Kyiv.
The Russian proposal, described by Moscow as “well-developed and comprehensive”, is divided into two parts.
According to the Russian head of delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, the first section lays out a roadmap for achieving lasting peace, while the second outlines several flexible options for implementing a nationwide ceasefire.
Provisional Ceasefire in Frontline Sectors
One of the immediate proposals made by Moscow was a temporary ceasefire spanning two to three days in specific frontline sectors.
The arrangement would allow military commanders on both sides to retrieve the bodies of fallen soldiers.
Ukrainian forces have reportedly agreed to consider the plan and will work out the logistics in the coming days.
The Russian delegation also announced that 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, identified by Russian authorities, will be unilaterally transferred to Kyiv in the coming week. This, according to Medinsky, is intended as a humanitarian gesture.
Largest Prisoner Exchange to Date
In what is being hailed as the largest prisoner exchange since the conflict began, both sides have agreed to swap at least 1,000 detainees, with the number potentially increasing.
Critically ill and severely wounded prisoners will be exchanged on an “all-for-all” basis, bypassing political considerations.
A joint Moscow-Kyiv commission is also being established to oversee the exchange of severely wounded soldiers and to ensure the process is driven by humanitarian rather than political concerns.
Additionally, both parties have agreed to prioritize the release of soldiers under the age of 25.
Child Repatriation Dispute
Medinsky dismissed Ukrainian accusations that Russia has kidnapped children from conflict zones, branding them a “show for sentimental Europeans.” He insisted that no child has been abducted, only rescued by Russian forces.
Russia claims to have received a list of 339 Ukrainian children allegedly separated from their families due to the war. Officials say that children are being returned to Ukraine if parents or legal guardians are identified, and that Russia is actively working to reunite families torn apart by the conflict.
Interestingly, the talks were conducted entirely in Russian, reflecting the complex cultural and historical ties between the two nations. Despite ongoing tensions and accusations on both sides, Medinsky said the Russian delegation was satisfied with the progress made during this latest round of negotiations.
While no formal agreement has been signed, the proposals now lie with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv for consideration. There has been no immediate response from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government regarding the content of the memorandum.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry, which facilitated the meeting, confirmed the exchange of proposals and expressed hope that the negotiations would pave the way for a sustainable peace process in the region.
As the war continues to grind on with heavy tolls on both sides, the developments in Istanbul suggest a potential, if fragile, opening for diplomacy in a conflict that has cost tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions.
