Russian and Ukrainian officials are meeting on Monday in the Turkish city of Istanbul for a second round of peace talks, the first such engagement since 2022, despite a continued escalation of fighting and deep divisions over how to end the war.

The first round, held on May 16, resulted in the largest prisoner exchange since the conflict began, but failed to produce any ceasefire or concrete peace gesture. Both sides merely outlined their initial negotiating positions.

The current round is expected to address humanitarian concerns, further prisoner swaps, and groundwork for a potential transitional framework, though tensions on the ground may limit progress.