Istanbul

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months in prison for insulting a prosecutor. İmamoğlu is a member of the opposition party and is considered a threat to the current president Erdogan.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhyi, stated that the ECHR decision on Russia's guilt in the downing of MH17 and crimes in Donbas is painful for the Russian Federation. Russians tried to evade responsibility for these crimes during negotiations in Istanbul.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Putin see no problems with a meeting at the leaders' level. Fidan recalled that the negotiations in Istanbul were the moment when Russia and Ukraine came closest to peace.

President Zelenskyy reported on eight stages of a major exchange, as a result of which hundreds of Ukrainians have returned since June. Among them are defenders of Mariupol, military personnel, and civilians who had been in captivity since 2022.

An Israeli negotiating team will travel to Qatar for indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release. At the same time, the office of the Israeli Prime Minister stated that the changes Hamas intends to make to the proposal are "unacceptable to Israel."

Three mayors from the opposition Republican People's Party have been detained in Turkey on charges of organized crime, bribery, and abuse of office. Among those detained are the mayors of Adiyaman, Adana, and Antalya.

On July 4, a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war took place between Ukraine and Russia. Among those released are defenders of Mariupol, seriously ill and wounded, including medics.

Hamas has developed disagreements regarding the new US ceasefire proposal in Gaza. The political leadership outside Gaza supports a truce, while militants in the Gaza Strip seek a continuation of hostilities.

Ukraine conducted the eighth stage of prisoner exchange under the Istanbul agreements, returning military personnel, civilians, critically ill, and wounded, including medics. Among those released are defenders of Mariupol, many of whom had been in captivity for over three years.

On July 4, Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, bringing back military personnel, including those from Mariupol, and civilians, most of whom had been in captivity since 2022. Among those released are seriously wounded, seriously ill, and those under 25 years old.

On July 4, Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange, as a result of which servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including defenders of Mariupol, as well as civilians, returned home. Among those released are both soldiers and officers, aged 20 to 59.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that a prisoner exchange with Ukraine took place on July 4, within the framework of agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul. Russian servicemen have been returned, while a group of Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war has been handed over.

Forest fires in Turkey claimed two lives, one of whom was an excavator operator fighting the blaze. A little-known group, "Children of Fire," claiming ties to Kurdish militants, has taken responsibility for dozens of arsons.

Russian dictator's aide Yuriy Ushakov stated that the next round of talks in Istanbul will be bilateral between Russia and Ukraine. Washington's participation in this process is not expected.

OSCE PA Special Rapporteur Karina Odebrink stated that Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children could amount to the crime of genocide. She also expressed confidence that Putin will face trial in The Hague.

Ukraine has not received information about the return of 339 children abducted by the occupiers from the list handed over to the Russian Federation in Istanbul. Ombudsman Lubynets stated that communication with the Russian Federation takes place through intermediaries, but the return of children from Russian territory is an extremely difficult process.

In Istanbul, clashes occurred between police and protesters over the publication of a caricature allegedly offending religious values. The Chief Prosecutor of Istanbul ordered the arrest of the editors of the satirical magazine LeMan, whose editor-in-chief denies the accusations.

Istanbul police detained at least 50 people, including four lawyers, during an attempt to hold a banned LGBTQ pride parade. Those detained will be brought to court, while authorities appeal to "social peace and moral values."

Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak states that Russia manipulates statements about negotiations while continuing missile strikes. He emphasizes that Moscow is the initiator of the war and blocks peace initiatives.

Russia allegedly seeks to end the war against Ukraine. But - on terms "beneficial" for the Russian Federation. Readiness for the third round of negotiations in Istanbul was also announced. All this was reported by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Council.

A representative of the GUR stated that the negotiation process with Russia regarding the exchange of prisoners of war continues and does not stop. Ukraine is ready to conduct as many stages as necessary to bring back all seriously ill, wounded, and young defenders.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated his readiness for contacts with Donald Trump, expressing respect for his initiatives to resolve the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin emphasizes the sincerity of Trump's efforts and is open to negotiations.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that Russia at the negotiations in Istanbul sought to drag out the process, avoid sanctions, and oust the American side. This indicates problems in the Russian economy, despite their boastful statements.

Ukraine is working with allies, particularly the United States, to organize a meeting of leaders. The Ministry of Defense is also focusing on obtaining additional air defense systems and producing millions of drones.

Ukrainian servicemen released from Russian captivity burned the prison clothes they were given. Among those returned are fighters under 25 years old, seriously ill and seriously wounded, including defenders of Mariupol and National Guardsmen from the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, announced a successful prisoner exchange, within which young, seriously ill, and wounded defenders were returned. He announced new good news regarding exchanges in the near future.

Ukraine has returned home a group of Defenders under the age of 25, defenders with injuries and health problems. The vast majority of those released were held in captivity for more than three years, including those captured during the defense of Mariupol.

Turkish President Erdogan stated that he is in constant dialogue with Ukraine and Russia to organize a third round of negotiations. Turkey strives for a just and lasting peace, prioritizing diplomacy.

Donald Trump is ready to visit the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey. His participation depends on the presence of Vladimir Putin at these negotiations.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared details of his meeting with Donald Trump at the NATO summit, including discussions on prisoner and casualty exchanges. Zelenskyy said that Russia handed over the bodies of its dead to Ukraine, which are currently undergoing examination in Kyiv for identification.