There is one key observer: Analyst explains importance of Istanbul talks

"Earlier, such deals were made even without the Istanbul meetings, but the exchanges weren’t on this scale. That’s important. And if each of these meetings, even if it lasts just 38 minutes like the last one, gives us the chance to bring back another 1,200 of our people, it’s worth doing. For us, that’s a big plus," Reiterovych said.

Secondly, according to him, all of these meetings between Ukraine and Russia have one observer.

"The name of that observer is Trump. Through these meetings — and the same goes for Russia, though we’re doing a better job — Ukraine is showing Trump that we’re ready, that we met, proposed a truce, and Russia refused, and so on," the political analyst said.

He emphasized that for Ukraine, this is about maintaining the initiative in relation to Trump. Ukraine shows Trump that it’s doing everything possible, and that the real questions should be directed at Russia.

"During the last meeting, we smartly floated the idea, and Erdoğan picked it up today, of organizing a meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin at the end of August. The Kremlin has already said that there is not enough time because such a meeting is not in their interest," Reiterovych added.

According to him, Putin doesn’t want this meeting and is even afraid of it, as the Russian leader sees it as a humiliation.

"He cannot meet with Zelenskyy — only if Ukraine agrees to sign a capitulation. And that will never happen. So even through such actions, we’re once again showing Trump that Putin doesn’t want to end the war," the political analyst noted.

He stressed that if the Istanbul meetings continue, Ukraine must take part and keep floating new ideas, constantly talking about a ceasefire, and then show the world and Trump that it’s Russia that refuses to negotiate.

Ukraine–Russia talks in Istanbul

On August 23, the third round of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations took place. The sides agreed on a new prisoner exchange — not only of military personnel but also civilians.

Following the talks, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary, Rustem Umerov, stated that Ukraine has proposed that Russia hold a meeting at the leadership level by the end of August.

The proposal stipulates that, in addition to Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will participate in the negotiations.

Commenting on the proposal, head of the Russian delegation and Putin's aide, Vladimir Medinsky, said such a meeting would require thorough preparation. However, he gave no clear response to Ukraine’s offer.