During peace discussions in Istanbul, Russia reportedly threatened Ukraine with a “perpetual war,” according to a source from the Ukrainian delegation speaking to Sky News. The source indicated that the Russian representatives were not prepared to engage in the technical details of a ceasefire and were awaiting approval from their superiors.
The talks marked the first direct engagement between the two countries since March 2022, influenced by pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to end the conflict in Ukraine. Following the negotiations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone conversation with Trump, as well as with the leaders of France, Germany, and Poland. Zelensky emphasized the need for severe sanctions should Russia reject the ceasefire proposal.
