Peace Talks

Moscow has stepped up drone and missile attacks on Ukraine and peace talks initiated by the United States to end the three-year conflict have stalled

Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Update | Putin Sets Out Punitive Terms | POWs Exchange Agreed | N18G

Russia and Ukraine held peace talks in Istanbul, agreeing to exchange prisoners of war and return the bodies of 12,000 fallen soldiers. The meeting lasted less than an hour and was only the second formal negotiation since the conflict began in March 2022. Despite international pressure, no ceasefire was agreed upon. Russia presented a detailed memorandum proposing terms for a full ceasefire, including territorial concessions from Ukraine and limits on its military, demands Ukraine rejected as surrender. The sides agreed to exchange seriously wounded and sick prisoners, as well as young soldiers aged 18 to 25. Both agreed to return 6,000 bodies each. Ukraine also raised concerns about several hundred children reportedly deported to Russia. Ukraine suggested more talks before the end of June, emphasizing that a direct meeting between Presidents Zelenskiy and Putin is necessary to resolve outstanding issues. Turkish President Erdogan expressed hope to host future talks involving Zelenskiy, Putin, and possibly U.S. President Trump, who has threatened to end U.S. mediation without progress.

Moscow 'satisfied' with Ukraine talks, 'ready to continue contacts': Russian top negotiator

Russia and Ukraine agreed to a significant prisoner exchange—1,000 prisoners from each side.

Trump says Zelenskyy comments harming peace talks with Russia

"This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia," Trump said in a social media post. He said Crimea was lost years ago "and is not even a point of discussion."

Putin visits Kursk region | Ukraine attacks Russia | 30-day ceasefire | U.S.-Ukraine talks | N18G

President Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk region of Russia for the first time since Ukrainian forces seized territory there. Dressed in a military uniform, he visited a control center used by Russian troops and discussed the ongoing situation with Russian military leaders. Putin emphasized the need to defeat the Ukrainian forces entrenched in the region and declared that captured Ukrainian soldiers should be treated as terrorists. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump earlier announced that U.S. officials were heading to Russia to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire and a potential peace agreement, following Ukraine’s agreement to cease fighting after talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia. The Kremlin responded that it was awaiting more details about the ceasefire proposal. Trump expressed hope for a ceasefire but stated that he could apply financial pressure on Russia if necessary, although he preferred pursuing peace without escalating the situation further.

Zelensky accepts 30-day ceasefire proposal, US says ball in Russia’s court

The US says Ukraine has accepted a 30-day ceasefire proposal and agreed to start negotiations to end the war with Russia, if Moscow also accepts. The US says it will immediately restore military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

As talks continue, Biden says Gaza truce deal 'closer' than ever

US President Joe Biden stated on Friday that a ceasefire deal in the Gaza war is closer than ever, following Washington's efforts to bridge differences between Israel and Hamas during talks in Doha.

Hamas rejects 'new conditions' in proposed Gaza deal, say officials

International mediators are pushing to finalise a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the Gaza war and secure the release of hostages. Despite recent talks in Doha, Hamas has rejected Israel's "new conditions," which include maintaining a military presence in Gaza and controlling the return of displaced Palestinians.

Russia open to Putin meeting Biden at G20, Sergei Lavrov says

Lavrov said Russia was willing to listen to any suggestions regarding peace talks

Iran, Saudi Arabia resume talks in Iraq after months: Reports

Iran, the largest Shiite Muslim country in the world, and Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties in 2016 after Saudi Arabia executed prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Oil drops $3 on positive signals from Russia-Ukraine peace talks

Brent crude fell $2.88, or 2.6%, to $109.61 a barrel by 11:07 a.m. ET (1507 GMT) and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down $2.94, or 2.8%, at $103.01. Each benchmark lost about 7% both earlier in the session as well as on Monday.

Dollar declines, euro jumps on hopes in Ukraine peace talks

Any step toward a ceasefire or potential peace deal in Ukraine would support the euro as Europe is seen suffering a significant economic blow from the conflict, which began with Russia's invasion on February 24.

Air raid sirens wail as Ukraine hopes for ceasefire from peace talks

Ukraine and the United States hold little hope of a breakthrough at the meeting later on Tuesday, the first direct talks between the two sides in more than two weeks, even though Russia's invasion appeared to have stalled on several fronts.

Kremlin says no significant progress in peace talks with Ukraine

Moscow has accused Kyiv of stalling peace talks by making proposals unacceptable for Russia. Ukraine has said it is willing to negotiate but will not surrender or accept Russian ultimatums.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict | Talk peace now or suffer for generations, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy tells Russia

Russian forces have taken heavy losses and their advance has largely stalled since President Vladimir Putin launched the assault on Feb. 24, with long columns of troops that bore down on Kyiv halted in its suburbs.

NATO chief visits Afghanistan as US, Taliban to sign deal

It carries with it hopes of a fall in violence in Afghanistan after decades of conflict and the opening of peace talks with the Afghan government, which was excluded from the direct US-Taliban negotiations.

US announces week-long partial truce with Taliban

Citing Afghan and US officials, the New York Times has reported that President Donald Trump had given conditional approval to a deal with the Taliban to allow him to start withdrawing US troops.

Centre ready to hold peace talks with ULFA(I): Himanta Biswa Sarma

Sarma, also the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor, told reporters here that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clearly said on Monday that if the anti-talk ULFA(I) faction is ready for negotiations, then "the Centre is more than willing to hold dialogue with them for the sake of permanent peace in Assam and the Northeast."

Afghan Taliban frees 3 Indian hostages in exchange for 11 top militant leaders: Reports

Trump stunned the world last month when he suddenly declared that the Afghan peace talks with the Taliban were "dead".

Iran says Afghan Taliban were in Tehran for peace talks

Iran has made a more concerted and open push for peace in neighbouring Afghanistan since US President Donald Trump indicated there would be a significant withdrawal of American troops.

India not responsible for WTO talks failure: Officials

The message from the WTO is clear: there is still some possibility left for the deals on food security and trade facilitation. The WTO told CNBC-TV18, “The talks have not failed. We are in crisis, to be sure, but there remains a chance that this could still come together.”

Sharif lays out terms for talks with Pakistani Taliban

He also voiced fears that continued US drone attacks would wreck his policy to negotiate with the Pakistani Taliban.

India, Pakistan aim to nudge peace process forward

India and Pakistan begin peace talks on Thursday, an important safety valve between two nuclear-armed countries which the United States hopes will help stabilise the region as it prepares to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

India, Pakistan peace talks to resume: Sources

India and Pakistan have agreed to resume formal peace talks that were broken off by New Delhi after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Indian sources said on Thursday, a move that should help ease tensions in the volatile region.