At the Negotiating Table

Russia and Ukraine aren’t laying down their weapons just yet.  

At a second round of direct negotiations in Istanbul, Ukraine proposed a 30-day, “full and unconditional” ceasefire. Russia said “not yet,” but offered a two- or three-day truce “in certain areas” of the more-than-600-mile frontline… which Ukraine rejected. 

Ultimately, the warring countries agreed to another prisoner swap—exchanging the bodies of 12,000 fallen soldiers, as well as all sick, significantly wounded, or under-25-year-old prisoners. 

Russia and Ukraine also laid out their war-ending wishlists. Russia is seeking:

• Recognized ownership of the land it has seized from Ukraine 
• A ban on Ukraine’s membership in any military alliances and limits to its military
• Making Russian an official language of Ukraine
• And the removal of sanctions placed on the Kremlin

Meanwhile, Ukraine wants all of its territory returned and more sanctions on Russia.

Verse to consider when peace seems far away… “In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s house will be established at the top of the mountains and will be raised above the hills. Peoples will stream to it… He will settle disputes among many peoples and provide arbitration for strong nations that are far away. They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war.”
Micah 4:1, 3 (CSB) (read full passage)