On May 16, 2025, the first direct negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine since March 2022 ended in the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. The meeting, mediated by Turkey, lasted about two hours and resulted in a number of agreements, including the largest prisoner exchange during the conflict according to the formula "1000 for 1000". This was stated by the head of the Russian delegation, aide to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky, expressing satisfaction with the results. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who headed the Ukrainian delegation, confirmed the agreement, adding that the exact date of the exchange would be announced later.

The main results of the negotiations, announced by Medinsky, include three key points. Firstly, in the coming days there will be an exchange of prisoners, which will be the largest since the beginning of the special military operation (SVO). According to RBC-Ukraine, it may include military personnel, sergeants, officers and, possibly, civilians, although the lists have not yet been made public. Secondly, Ukraine requested direct negotiations at the level of Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. Medinsky noted that Russia "took this request into account", but did not announce any specific decisions. Thirdly, the parties agreed to prepare written proposals on the terms of a possible ceasefire. After the exchange of documents, the negotiations will continue, although the timing has not been specified.

The talks began at 13:30 p.m. Moscow time in the presence of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who called the prisoner exchange a "confidence-building measure." In addition to Medinsky, the Russian delegation was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov. The 12-member Ukrainian delegation included Deputy Head of the SBU Alexander Poklad, First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya, and Deputy Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Vadym Skibitsky. According to The Guardian, Russia presented tough conditions, including the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from a number of regions, which Kyiv considered "unrealistic."