The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since the war began lasted just two hours in Istanbul on Friday and only agreed on a prisoner swap, in a sign the two sides remain very far apart. The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced to journalists that the meeting had ended with no explanation but according to people familiar with the talks,

Ukraine will make securing a ceasefire a priority in expected talks with a Russian delegation in Istanbul on Friday, a Ukrainian diplomatic source said, adding there was also a need for "confidence-building measures".

The Russian delegation, led by an aide to Russian dictator Vladimir Medinsky, at talks with Ukraine in Istanbul had papers from previous talks in 2022 and threatened to increase the number of attachments fivefold, Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing sources familiar with the talks.