The Latest Breaking News from Istanbul

Over three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the countries are finally meeting for direct peace talks in Istanbul. Vladimir Putin will be not be attending.

A senior Ukrainian official at the peace talks in Istanbul accused Moscow of introducing “unacceptable demands” that had not been previously discussed, including calls for Kyiv’s forces to withdraw from large swaths of territory they control so a complete ceas efire to be implemented

The head of Russia’s delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, said his side was ‘generally satisfied’ with Friday’s meeting

Zelensky accuses Moscow of sending ‘theatre prop’ negotiating team to Turkey

Delegations from Moscow and Kyiv will be in Istanbul Friday for what could be their first direct meeting on the conflict in Ukraine since 2022, but the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves little hope for progress in ending the war.

Gen. Oleg Salyukov is the latest high-ranking military figure to be dismissed; Germany’s Merz says EU sanctions on Russia ready for Tuesday. What we know on day 1,178

Two sides set for first direct negotiations since March 2022 but Russia’s lower-level delegation in Istanbul seen as snub

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Officials from Moscow and Kyiv have started talks, but few expect significant progress from the low-level meeting.