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Russia-Ukraine war: Istanbul talks fail to go beyond prisoner swap, eyes on summit proposal
Chief of the Turkish General Staff, Metin Gurak, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Turkey's intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin attend a meeting at Ciragan Palace on the day of the third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 23, 2025. Reuters
The Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul did not yield a breakthrough, except that both sides agreed to initiate another round of prisoner exchange. While the one-hour-long meeting was largely unsuccessful, Kyiv said that it has agreed to a prisoner swap with Moscow that is currently in process along the Ukrainian-Belarusian border.
Under the deal, Russia and Ukraine would swap 250 prisoners of war each. Ukraine's former defence minister Rustem Umerov, who led the talks in Istanbul, said that the two sides have also agreed to 'exchange of at least 1,200 more prisoners of war from each side in the near future'.
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The two earlier rounds of talks held in Istanbul, in May and June, led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the return of fallen soldiers' remains, but achieved little progress toward a lasting peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram that so far around 1,000 PoWs have returned home. 'Bringing all our people back is a priority for the state and we will continue all efforts to ensure that all our people return from captivity.'
Why were the talks unsuccessful?
The meeting between the two delegations in Istanbul came after US President Donald Trump gave an ultimatum to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to end the war in 50 days or face 'very severe tariffs.'
Umerov said that while he had proposed an in-person summit between Zelenskyy and Putin, Russia rejected the bid, saying such a meeting would only be appropriate if the two sides sign an agreement, according to Reuters.
The two sides also remained divided over the terms of any potential ceasefire, with Umerov stating that Ukraine was seeking a 'full and unconditional ceasefire as a necessary basis for effective diplomacy,' while Russia proposed a series of short ceasefires lasting between 24 and 48 hours along the front line to allow medical teams to retrieve dead and wounded soldiers.
Trump deadline
The two sides previously met in the Turkish city in May and June, but at those talks managed to agree only on other exchanges of prisoners and soldiers' bodies.
Trump last week gave Russia 50 days to end the war or face sanctions, but the Kremlin has not indicated it is willing to compromise.
'No one expects an easy road. It will be very difficult,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about his expectations for the talks.
Opening the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said: 'Our aim is to end this bloody war, which has a very high cost, as soon as possible.'
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He added: 'The ultimate goal is a ceasefire that will pave the way for peace.'
With inputs from agencies
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UK may recognise Palestinian statehood at UN in September: What will change?
Britain is poised to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September, a move tied to demands on Israel and Hamas amid Gaza's deepening humanitarian crisis. If formalised, the UK would join France in breaking with decades of Western policy — but will the recognition bring real change or remain largely symbolic? read more People take part in a 'National March for Palestine' protest in London, UK, July 19, 2025. File Image/Reuters Britain is preparing to formally recognise the state of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September, a potential milestone in decades of diplomacy in West Asia. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement on Tuesday, marked the clearest signal yet that the UK intends to take a step long deferred by most major Western powers. Starmer linked the decision to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where stark images of children suffering from hunger have triggered worldwide outrage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking to reporters, he said, 'The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering. Now, in Gaza, because of a catastrophic failure of aid, we see starving babies, children too weak to stand, images that will stay with us for a lifetime. The suffering must end.' How have Israel & co. reacted? Starmer pointed out that Britain's move would go ahead unless Israel acted on several points. These include halting any annexation of the West Bank, agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and entering a long-term peace process that results in a two-state solution. Starmer's declaration came just a day after discussions in Scotland with US President Donald Trump. While Trump told journalists he 'did not mind' if Britain proceeded, Washington has never recognised Palestinian statehood and remains Israel's strongest backer. Starmer also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone prior to the announcement, reported Reuters, citing a source familiar with the talks. Israel's foreign ministry responded sharply on X, calling the UK's move a 'reward for Hamas' and warning that it would harm current efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "Starmer rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism & punishes its victims. A jihadist state on Israel's border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW. Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you too. It will not happen." — Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 29, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, a hunger monitor earlier that day warned of a 'worst-case scenario of famine' developing in Gaza if immediate intervention did not occur. Israel has rejected allegations that it is deliberately withholding food aid, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stating that conditions were 'tough' but claiming 'lies' were circulating about deliberate starvation. What are Starmer's conditions? The UK cabinet convened an emergency session before releasing a detailed statement that laid out conditions for recognition. It repeated calls for Israel to commit to a ceasefire, allow humanitarian assistance from the UN to resume, clarify that no West Bank annexations would take place, and join a lasting peace framework. My statement on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and our plan for peace including the recognition of a Palestinian State. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 29, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The statement also outlined expectations for Hamas. London demanded the immediate release of all Israeli hostages, a commitment to disarm, acceptance of a ceasefire, and agreement not to play any role in the future administration of Gaza. This position echoes the Labour Party's long-standing pledge to recognise a Palestinian state 'at a time of maximum impact,' a stance that Starmer has now determined to be urgent and unavoidable. Who else has recognised Palestine? If Britain follows through, it would be the second member of the UN Security Council to recognise Palestine, after France made the same pledge on July 24. Malta has also confirmed it will extend recognition at the UN in September. A man holds a placard reading 'Free Palestine' during a demonstration, at the Place de la Republique in Paris, France, June 9, 2025. File Image/Reuters As of March 2025, 147 of the 193 UN member states already recognise Palestine. This group includes global powers like Russia, China and India, as well as many European nations, including Spain, Ireland and Norway. Sweden took the step in 2014, the first Western European country to do so, followed by Spain in 2024. While these moves were historic, they largely remained symbolic and did not substantially alter conditions for Palestinians on the ground. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What does recognition actually mean? Recognition of statehood under international law is not just ceremonial. The Montevideo Convention of 1933 established the criteria for statehood: a permanent population, a defined territory, an effective government, and the capacity to engage in international relations. Formal recognition would lead to the exchange of ambassadors, the establishment of embassies, and the signing of treaties. It would also allow Palestine greater access to international bodies and legal rights as a sovereign state. For Palestinians, British recognition would strengthen their diplomatic claims and potentially open the door to more tangible international support. Does it remain just a symbolic gesture? Despite its potential significance, experts caution that recognition alone will not resolve the crisis. There have been no pledges from either France or the UK to impose sanctions on Israel, suspend arms exports, or dramatically increase humanitarian funding for Gaza. Previous recognitions have shown the limits of such gestures. Sweden's recognition in 2014 and Spain's in 2024 made headlines but did little to change daily realities of occupation, restricted movement or settlement expansion. Critics argue that without meaningful measures — such as challenging illegal settlement activity, demanding accountability for alleged war crimes, or funding Palestinian institutions — recognition risks becoming 'a statement more than a strategy.' What does it mean for the Israel-Palestine conflict? The UK's planned recognition reinforces the message that the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel remains the only viable route to long-term peace and security for both peoples. British officials contend that this stance does not legitimise Hamas, which has opposed past peace efforts and carried out the attacks of October 7, 2023. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They argue that offering Palestinians a clear, peaceful path to statehood undercuts Hamas's influence and bolsters moderate voices seeking self-determination through diplomacy. Regional dynamics could also shift. Saudi Arabia, with strong ties to Washington and significant influence in the Arab world, is well placed to convene discussions on future Palestinian leadership and the reconstruction of Gaza. Riyadh's involvement could bring in other regional players such as Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE — countries with long-standing interests and networks in Palestinian affairs. Although normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia remains out of reach as long as fighting continues, UK recognition of Palestine could strengthen Saudi arguments in its talks with Washington, laying groundwork for future peace efforts. If the recognition during the UN General Assembly in September is formalised, the UK and France will be the first G7 nations to take that step, breaking with decades of Western policy shaped by the belief that Palestinian statehood should follow 'final status' talks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
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How SpaceX's rocket diplomacy backfired in the Bahamas
* How SpaceX's rocket diplomacy backfired in the Bahamas Bahamian officials frustrated by SpaceX deal approval process * SpaceX's global expansion faces geopolitical challenges * Starship debris raises safety concerns among Bahamians By Joey Roulette NASSAU, Bahamas, - When SpaceX was negotiating a deal with the Bahamas last year to allow its Falcon 9 rocket boosters to land within the island nation's territory, Elon Musk's company offered a sweetener: complimentary Starlink internet terminals for the country's defense vessels, according to three people familiar with the matter. The rocket landing deal, unlocking a more efficient path to space for SpaceX's reusable Falcon 9, was then signed in February last year by Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who bypassed consultation with several other key government ministers, one of the sources and another person familiar with the talks said. 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Many Bahamians, he said, have voiced concerns to the government about their safety from Starship debris and pollution to the country's waters. "I have no strong dislike for the exploration of space, but I do have concerns about the sovereignty of my nation's airspace," Pyfrom said. "The Starship explosion just strengthened opposition to make sure we could answer all these questions." STARSHIP FAILURES ROCK ISLANDS Starship exploded about nine and a half minutes into flight on March 6 after launching from Texas, in what the company said was likely the result of an automatic self-destruct command triggered by an issue in its engine section. It was the second consecutive test failure after a similar mid-flight explosion in January rained debris on the Turks and Caicos Islands, a nearby British overseas territory. Matthew Bastian, a retired engineer from Canada, was anchored in his sailboat on vacation near Ragged Island, a remote island chain in southern Bahamas, just after sunset when he witnessed Starship's explosion. What he initially thought was a rising moon quickly became an expanding fireball that turned into a "large array of streaking comets." "My initial reaction was 'wow that is so cool,' then reality hit me – I could have a huge chunk of rocket debris crash down on me and sink my boat!" he said. "Fortunately that didn't happen, but one day it could happen to someone." Thousands of cruise ships, ferries, workboats, fishing boats, yachts and recreational sailboats ply the waters around Caribbean islands each year, maritime traffic that is crucial for the Bahamas tourism industry. Within days of the explosion, SpaceX dispatched staff and deployed helicopters and speedboats to swarm Ragged Island and nearby islands, using sonar to scan the seafloor for debris, four local residents and a government official told Reuters. On the surface, recovery crews hauled the wreckage from the water and transferred it onto a much larger SpaceX vessel, typically used to catch rocket fairings falling back from space, the people said. The SpaceX team included its vice president of launch, Kiko Dontchev, who emphasized in a news conference with local reporters that the rocket is entirely different from the Falcon 9 boosters that would land off the Exuma coast under SpaceX's agreement. Joe Darville, chairman of a local environmental organization called Save The Bays, was angered by the Starship debris, as well as what he described as a "deal done totally in secret" over the Falcon 9 agreement. As Bahamian waters become increasingly polluted and coral reefs shrink, he's unhappy with the lack of transparency in his government's dealings with SpaceX. "Something like that should have never been made without consultation of the people in the Bahamas," he said. Pyfrom, the official from the Bahamas' environmental agency, said the review of the SpaceX report and the approval process will show "where we fell short, and what we need to improve on." SpaceX, meanwhile, is forging ahead with Starship. Musk said earlier this month he expects the next Starship rocket to lift off within the next three weeks. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'Lots of problems, bad policies': Why Trump may skip G20 Summit in South Africa this year
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he might skip the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) leaders' summit in South Africa in November and send someone else to represent the United States, citing his disapproval of South African policies. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump had confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office about an alleged "white genocide"(REUTERS) "I think maybe I'll send somebody else because I've had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. Why its important Trump has taken issue with South African domestic and foreign policies - ranging from its land policy to its case accusing Israel of genocide in the U.S. ally's war in Gaza. Trump signed an executive order in February to cut U.S. financial assistance to South Africa. In May, Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with false claims of white genocide and land seizures during a White House meeting. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also boycotted a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in South Africa, which has the G20 presidency from December 2024 to November 2025. Tense ties Washington, both under Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, has complained about the case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, where it accused Israel of genocide over its military assault in Gaza. Israel's assault has killed tens of thousands, caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced Gaza's entire population and also led to accusations of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations and casts its Gaza offensive as self-defense after a deadly October 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and in which over 250 were taken hostage. Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and South Africa have also been strained under Trump due to South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies to address the legacy of centuries of racial inequality. Ramaphosa, who has urged Trump to attend the G20 summit, rejects Washington's claims that South Africa will use its land policy to arbitrarily confiscate white-owned land.
