Important negotiations took place in Istanbul between Ukrainian and Russian delegations, during which the Ukrainian side delivered Russia a list of deported children
This meeting became one of the key events in the context of diplomatic conflict resolution and the search for ways to return Ukrainian citizens, particularly children, who were unlawfully taken from occupied territories. The negotiations, which lasted a little over an hour, were conducted under the watchful eye of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was present in the hall and overseeing the process. The outcomes of the negotiations became known from official sources — in particular, from a statement by Ukrainian President’s Office Chief Andriy Yermak, who posted the information on his Telegram channel. According to Yermak, the Ukrainian side officially handed over to Russia a list of Ukrainian children who need to be returned home. “This concerns hundreds of children whom Russia has illegally deported, forcibly transferred, or temporarily detained in occupied territories,” said the head of the Ukrainian delegation. This is an important step in the context of protecting the rights of Ukrainian citizens and countering violations of international law that occur in the temporarily occupied territories. Before the main meeting with the Russian side, Ukrainian representatives — First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Serhiy Kyslytsa and delegation member Oleksandr Bevz — met with representatives of Ukraine’s European partners, including diplomats from Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. This stage of dialogue aimed to coordinate positions, assess prospects, and gain support at this difficult moment of diplomatic efforts. It is worth noting that even before the negotiations began, the Ukrainian delegation published its proposals — notably during consultations with European colleagues and the preparation for the Istanbul meeting. These proposals included not only the issue of returning deported children but also the search for long-term mechanisms amid long-term occupation, as well as strengthening international support on this topic. As previously reported, the negotiation process in Istanbul became one of the important attempts at diplomatic conflict resolution and the release of Ukrainian citizens, especially minors, from Russian captivity and unlawful transportation. This is a significant signal to the international community, as the return of children who were taken from Ukrainian territories remains one of the priorities on Kyiv’s agenda and among its international partners.