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Russia and Ukraine have agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each following their first direct talks in over three years, held in Istanbul on Friday. The 90-minute meeting also included discussions on possible ceasefire terms and a potential future summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, according to BBC.

Ukraine pushed for an “unconditional ceasefire” to halt the ongoing conflict, which has devastated large parts of the country and displaced millions. However, Russia did not agree to suspend hostilities, though both sides said they would present their proposals for a possible ceasefire.

Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky expressed satisfaction with the outcome and confirmed Moscow’s openness to further talks. Ukraine’s Defence Minister and chief negotiator Rustem Umerov emphasized the need for a leader-level meeting as the next step.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhy welcomed the prisoner exchange, calling it a “great result” and a sign of diplomacy and events as of May 2025, BBC reported.

Ukrainian and Russian officials met in Istanbul for the first time since 2022, as part of an agreement of peace negotiations hosted by Turkey.

The meeting, facilitated by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, saw no handshakes or signs of a thaw, with both delegations maintaining firmly opposing positions. Despite limited expectations, the talks are seen as a tentative step toward re-engagement, according to BBC.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a strong international response if a ceasefire agreement is not reached.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed a desire to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting, "as soon as we can." Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded a halt to the violence, stating, "The killing must stop", BBC reported.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli handed over the Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC-3) to the representative of the President of Azerbaijan and President of COP29, Mukhtar Babayev, in order to disseminate a positive message in Sagarmatha Sambaad.  

 At an inaugural session of the most awaited Sagarmatha Sambaad, Prime Minister Oli officially unveiled NDC-3 and handed it over to Babayev.

The Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday had endorsed the NDC draft prepared by the Ministry of Forests and Environment based on the Paris Agreement under the COP-21 of the party country of United Nations Framework related to Climate Change. 

Nepal prepared the NDC in accordance with goals set in the Paris Agreement which has the provision that all party countries have to submit their NDC in every five years. Nepal had submitted its first NDC in 2016 and second in 2020. It had approved the NDC-3 with a goal of submitting it by 2025. 

Nepal has prepared the draft incorporating sustainable goals, mobilization of domestic and international financial sources and climate implementation plan up to local levels covering the period up to 2035.

US President Donald Trump has called for an urgent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying no progress can be made in the Russia-Ukraine conflict without their direct talks.

Peace talks, mediated by Turkey, are scheduled to commence in Istanbul. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also in town for discussions with Turkish and Ukrainian officials, expressed low expectations for the outcome, as reported by BBC.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is sending his military minister, but criticized Russia for not being serious about genuine negotiations.