Was there an agreement between Russia and Ukraine?

 Yes, there have been multiple agreements between Russia and Ukraine, especially regarding security, territorial integrity, and ceasefires. Some of the key agreements include:

1. Budapest Memorandum (1994)

Signed by Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, this agreement provided security assurances to Ukraine in exchange for its nuclear disarmament after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Russia pledged to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders.

However, Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 was seen as a violation of this memorandum.

2. Minsk Agreements (2014 & 2015)

Following Russia’s annexation of Crimea (2014) and the outbreak of conflict in eastern Ukraine, the Minsk Agreements were signed to establish a ceasefire.

Minsk I (2014): Aimed at a ceasefire but failed due to continued fighting.

Minsk II (2015): Brokered by Germany and France, it called for:

A ceasefire in Donbas.

Withdrawal of heavy weapons.

Political autonomy for separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

However, neither side fully implemented the agreements, and tensions continued.

3. Istanbul Talks (2022)

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, peace talks were held in Istanbul, Turkey.

Ukraine proposed:

Remaining neutral (not joining NATO) in exchange for security guarantees from other nations.

Russia withdrawing its forces from Ukrainian territory.

Russia wanted Ukraine to recognize Crimea as part of Russia and grant autonomy to Donetsk and Luhansk.

The talks collapsed, and the war continued.

4. Black Sea Grain Initiative (2022)

Brokered by the UN and Turkey, this agreement allowed Ukraine to export grain via the Black Sea despite the war.

Russia withdrew from the deal in 2023, citing concerns about Western sanctions.

Current Status

No comprehensive peace agreement exists between Russia and Ukraine as of 2025.

Ukraine has proposed a 10-point Peace Formula, but Russia has not accepted it.

NATO and Western nations continue to support Ukraine, while Russia insists on controlling the territories it has occupied.

Istanbul Talks 2022: A Closer Look at the Russia-Ukraine Peace Negotiations

The Istanbul Talks in March 2022 were one of the most significant attempts to negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine after the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. These negotiations, held in Istanbul, Turkey, were mediated by Turkish officials and aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to end the war. However, the talks ultimately collapsed due to mutual distrust, shifting military dynamics, and political disagreements.

Background: Why Did the Talks Happen?

By March 2022, the war had already caused thousands of casualties and widespread destruction. Ukraine fiercely resisted the Russian invasion, preventing Moscow from capturing Kyiv. Russia, facing logistical issues and stronger-than-expected Ukrainian resistance, shifted its focus to eastern Ukraine and started peace talks.

Key Issues Discussed in the Istanbul Talks

During the negotiations, both sides presented demands and proposals for a potential ceasefire and peace deal.

Ukraine’s Proposals

Ukraine was willing to negotiate a neutral status but wanted strong security guarantees. Key points of Ukraine’s proposal included:

1. Neutrality and No NATO Membership

Ukraine offered to drop its bid to join NATO in exchange for security guarantees from Western countries, including the U.S., U.K., France, China, and Turkey.

This meant Ukraine would not host foreign military bases or participate in military alliances.

2. Security Guarantees (Similar to NATO’s Article 5)

Ukraine wanted a system where guarantor countries would intervene militarily if Ukraine was attacked again.

These guarantees would function like NATO’s Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.

3. Crimea and Donbas – A Separate Issue

Ukraine did not accept Russia’s claim over Crimea but proposed a 15-year negotiation period to settle the dispute diplomatically.

The status of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions would also be discussed separately.

4. Immediate Ceasefire and Russian Withdrawal

Ukraine demanded a full withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territories occupied after February 24, 2022.

Russia’s Demands

Russia, on the other hand, had different priorities, including:

1. Recognition of Crimea as Russian Territory

Russia insisted that Ukraine officially recognize Crimea (annexed by Russia in 2014) as part of Russia.

2. Recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as Independent States

Russia wanted Ukraine to recognize the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) as independent entities.

3. Demilitarization and "Denazification" of Ukraine

Russia demanded Ukraine reduce its military and adopt a non-aggressive military posture.

The term "denazification" was vague but seemed to refer to removing leaders and groups Moscow considered anti-Russian.

4. Lifting of Western Sanctions

Russia sought guarantees that Western sanctions would be lifted as part of any peace deal.

Outcome of the Istanbul Talks

The talks initially showed signs of progress. Ukrainian negotiators indicated that they were open to neutrality in exchange for strong security guarantees. Russia also agreed to scale down its military operations around Kyiv as a “goodwill gesture.” However, the negotiations collapsed soon after.

Why Did the Talks Fail?

1. Russia's Betrayal and War Crimes in Bucha (April 2022)

Shortly after the Istanbul Talks, Ukrainian forces liberated the town of Bucha, near Kyiv.

They discovered mass graves and evidence of war crimes, with hundreds of civilians tortured, executed, and left on the streets.

This atrocity outraged the world and hardened Ukraine’s stance, making diplomacy with Russia politically impossible for Kyiv.

2. Shifting Military Momentum

By mid-2022, Ukraine launched successful counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Kherson, recapturing large areas from Russian forces.

With increasing Western military aid (e.g., HIMARS rocket systems, tanks), Ukraine felt it could win on the battlefield instead of making painful concessions in negotiations.

3. Russia’s Distrust and Continued Escalation

While Russia initially agreed to scale down attacks near Kyiv, it soon refocused on eastern Ukraine and launched a new phase of the war.

Moscow never fully withdrew troops from occupied areas, showing insincerity in negotiations.

4. Lack of Consensus on Security Guarantees

Ukraine’s demand for NATO-style security guarantees was not fully accepted by Western countries, as they were unwilling to risk direct war with Russia.

Without strong guarantees, Ukraine was hesitant to abandon its NATO ambitions.

Aftermath: What Happened Next?

April 2022: Peace talks broke down, and both sides resumed full-scale military operations.

May 2022 – Present: Ukraine strengthened its Western alliances, securing more military aid, including advanced weapons.

July 2022: NATO reaffirmed its support for Ukraine, increasing training and financial assistance.

2023-2024: Ukraine launched counteroffensives and regained territory, while Russia intensified missile strikes.

Current Status (2025)

No formal peace talks are ongoing.

Ukraine insists on full Russian withdrawal before any agreement.

Russia refuses to negotiate without territorial concessions.

NATO and Western countries continue to support Ukraine militarily.

Conclusion

The Istanbul Talks of 2022 were the closest Russia and Ukraine came to a peace deal after the invasion. However, war crimes, shifting military dynamics, and irreconcilable demands led to the breakdown of negotiations. The failure of these talks hardened both sides' positions, making future diplomacy even more difficult.