On May 15, 2025, negotiations between delegations from Russia and Ukraine begin in Istanbul, which, according to The Wall Street Journal, the Ukrainian side intends to limit to discussing the introduction of a 30-day ceasefire. According to Ukrainian officials, Kyiv will focus exclusively on implementing and monitoring the ceasefire proposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump. The talks, which begin at around 13:00 p.m. local time in Dolmabahce Palace, are the first direct contact between the parties since the spring of 2022, but the absence of leaders from both countries and the ongoing escalation reduce expectations for their results.

The Russian delegation is headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, and includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov. According to Reuters, Ukraine is represented by the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is in Ankara for a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, refused to participate, insisting on a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin, who also did not come.

The 30-day ceasefire initiative was first voiced by the United States on March 11, 2025, at talks in Jeddah, where Kyiv agreed to the proposal on the condition that Russia comply. Zelensky has repeatedly stressed that the ceasefire must be complete and unconditional, covering land, air and sea. On May 10 in Kyiv, the leaders of France, Germany, Great Britain and Poland supported the idea, threatening Russia with new sanctions if it refused. However, Putin rejected an immediate ceasefire on May 11, instead proposing direct talks in Istanbul without preconditions.