(VOVWORLD) – The Russian side was satisfied with the results of the second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on Monday and both sides exchanged memoranda detailing Moscow's and Kyiv's approaches to resolving the conflict, according to Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky. The second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine takes place in Istanbul on June 2, 2025 (Photo: Ria Novosti) Medinsky said Russian negotiators are "ready to begin discussing the details of the package agreement on the future ceasefire immediately." Kyiv will take a week to study the Russian memorandum before deciding how to proceed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference in Vilnius shortly after the talks concluded that the delegations exchanged documents through the Turkish side, and they are preparing a new release of prisoners of war. He said any agreement cannot be a reward for Russia, adding that Kyiv is ready to take the necessary steps for peace. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov told reporters in Istanbul that Russia and Ukraine agreed to return the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers each and exchange seriously wounded and sick prisoners of war who are between 18 and 25 years old.

Kyiv suggested holding a third round of talks between June 20 and 30 and will review Moscow's plan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposed hosting a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and US President Donald Trump in Istanbul or Ankara later this month, in a renewed effort to end the conflict in Ukraine.