Russian, Ukrainian officials to meet in Istanbul
This will be the second round of talksheld at the behest of US President Donald Trump. During the first round of talks in Istanbul last month, both parties agreed on a large-scale prisoner swap and spoke about their visions of a peace deal.
The talks come on the heels of Ukraine’s most brazen attacks on Russian airbases, which hit several strategic bombers.
Russia has not shared its demands in advance, and said it will present a “memorandum” of peace terms.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meanwhile has asked for a full ceasefire and release of prisoners.
He has also asked for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian delegation will be led by Putin’s aide Vladimir Medinsky, who led similar talks in 2022. The Ukrainian team will be lead by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
A German government spokesperson said on Sunday that diplomatic advisors from Germany, France and Britain will also be present.
https://p.dw.com/p/4vGfV
June 2, 2025
What happened over the weekend
Ukrainian drones hit airfields in five regions of Russia, with Kyiv’s domestic intelligence agency saying it caused $7 billion (€6.17 billion) in damage. Security officials said 41 Russian planes had been destroyed.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was an “absolutely brilliant result.”
Kyiv also reported a record-breaking number of Russian missile and drone attacks on Sunday, saying Russia launched 472 drones and seven missiles overnight. One of the Russian missiles hit a training center, killing at least 12 Ukrainian troops.
https://p.dw.com/p/4vGbR
June 2, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
As the two countries prepare for the possible next round of ceasefire talks in Turkey, Russia confirmed that Ukrainian drones hit airfields in five regions.
DW will provide the latest news, analysis, and insights from our reporters and correspondents regarding Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
https://p.dw.com/p/4vGbA
