On the eve of crucial peace talks scheduled in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine have significantly intensified their conflict. This escalation includes one of the largest drone battles of the war, the bombing of a Russian highway bridge over a passenger train, and an unprecedented Ukrainian attack on nuclear-capable bombers deep within Siberia. Despite these heightened hostilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will represent Ukraine in the second round of direct peace talks with Russian officials, talks initially proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. While a major prisoner exchange was achieved in previous discussions, a consensus on halting the widespread fighting remains elusive.

The intensification of warfare has been dramatic. A highway bridge in Russia's Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, was destroyed in an explosion over a passenger train en route to Moscow with 388 people aboard, resulting in at least seven fatalities and 69 injuries. Responsibility for this attack has not yet been claimed. Concurrently, Ukraine reportedly launched an ambitious attack on a military base in Siberia, over 4,300 kilometers (2,670 miles) from the front lines, targeting nuclear-capable long-range bombers. A Ukrainian intelligence official claimed that 40 Russian warplanes were struck in this operation. Furthermore, Russia launched 472 drones at Ukraine in a single night, marking the highest nightly total of the war, alongside seven missiles, according to Ukraine's air force.

Russian forces have also reported advancements, claiming to have pushed deeper into Ukraine's Sumy region. Open-source pro-Ukrainian maps indicate that Russia captured approximately 450 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in May, its most rapid monthly advance in at least six months. This military pressure continues as diplomatic efforts are underway.

The upcoming talks in Istanbul carry significant international attention, particularly from the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly demanded that both Russia and Ukraine make peace, threatening to withdraw U.S. support if they fail to reach an agreement. This stance could shift the responsibility for supporting Ukraine primarily onto European powers, which possess comparatively fewer resources and smaller weapon stockpiles. According to Trump envoy Keith Kellogg, both delegations will present their respective documents outlining their proposals for peace terms in Turkey.

The negotiating positions of the two countries appear starkly different. In June of the previous year, President Putin laid out his initial terms for an immediate end to the war, which included Ukraine abandoning its NATO aspirations and withdrawing all its troops from the entirety of four Ukrainian regions claimed and largely controlled by Russia. Conversely, Ukrainian negotiators are expected to present a roadmap for a lasting peace settlement. According to a document seen by Reuters, Ukraine's proposal insists on no restrictions on its future military strength, no international recognition of Russian sovereignty over territories seized by Moscow, and reparations for Ukraine. The document also suggests that the current frontline will serve as the starting point for negotiations regarding territory.

The conflict, which escalated significantly when Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022, followed eight years of fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces. The United States estimates that over 1.2 million people have been killed or injured in the war since 2022. Currently, Russia controls just under one-fifth of Ukraine, an area equivalent to approximately 113,100 square kilometers, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Ohio. While President Trump has publicly criticized both Putin and Zelenskiy, he has also expressed a belief that peace is achievable, warning of potential tough sanctions on Russia if Putin delays.