Russia and Ukraine held the second round of resumed negotiations in Istanbul after a three-year break.  The closed-door meeting lasted about an hour, half the time of their previous session on May 16, according to RBC.

Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation and presidential aide, said both sides exchanged memoranda with conflict resolution proposals and agreed on practical steps. Russia will unilaterally return 6,000 bodies of deceased Ukrainian soldiers next week.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov noted that Russia rejected an unconditional ceasefire and a leaders’ summit but agreed on exchanging bodies and prisoners with a “6,000-for-6,000” formula.  A large exchange of severely wounded soldiers and young servicemen will also take place, with at least 1,000 individuals exchanged from each side.

A permanent medical commission will assess the severely wounded for exchange, with regular swaps planned.  Medinsky proposed a two-to-three-day ceasefire in select front areas to allow recovery of soldiers’ bodies, citing epidemic risks in “grey zones.”

Umerov said Ukraine proposed another meeting between June 20 and 30.  Ukrainian officials also submitted a list of hundreds of children they seek to repatriate from Russia.  Medinsky confirmed Russia received a list of 339 names and pledged to review each case.

The talks were chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who expressed hope for progress on a ceasefire and prisoner exchange.  The US did not participate in this round.

Conflict resolution proposals

Ukraine’s leaked memorandum calls for a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire, return of all children, “all-for-all” prisoner exchanges, release of civilians, and international security guarantees.  Kyiv rejects imposed neutrality and affirms its right to EU and NATO aspirations, while rejecting Russia’s territorial claims since 2014.

Russia’s memorandum demands Ukrainian troop withdrawal from contested regions, recognition of these as Russian territory, Ukraine’s neutral and nuclear-free status, and mutual lifting of sanctions. It calls for demobilization and elections before a peace agreement, to be approved by the UN Security Council.

Ukraine said it will review Russia’s proposal and respond officially.