After a prolonged diplomatic deadlock, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey are set to hold a fresh round of trilateral peace talks in Istanbul on Friday. The announcement follows what was described as a productive meeting between Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Medinsky, who is leading the Russian delegation, confirmed that Moscow sees these talks as a continuation of the peace process that collapsed in 2022. “We maintain a working attitude and are ready for compromises with Ukraine,” Medinsky said during a media briefing in Istanbul. He emphasized Russia’s willingness to engage constructively, underscoring Turkey’s key role in mediating the renewed discussions.

Turkish diplomatic sources also confirmed the meeting, noting that both Russian and Ukrainian teams are expected to arrive in Istanbul today. While specific details of the agenda have not been disclosed, analysts say the discussions could focus on territorial security, humanitarian corridors, and grain export agreements, issues that have remained flashpoints throughout the war.

This marks the first direct diplomatic contact between Russia and Ukraine since the collapse of earlier negotiations in mid-2022. Since then, backchannel efforts have failed to produce tangible outcomes, making Turkey’s facilitation of this meeting a potentially significant breakthrough.

The Ukrainian delegation has not yet released a formal statement ahead of the meeting, though sources close to Kyiv indicate cautious optimism.

As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, with casualties mounting and economic consequences deepening globally, the international community will be watching this round of negotiations closely for signs of de-escalation and the potential for long-term peace-building.