Russian and Ukrainian delegations have met in Istanbul for their first direct peace talks in over seven weeks, aiming to negotiate a ceasefire and address key issues such as prisoner exchanges and the return of abducted children.
Despite renewed efforts and international pressure, expectations for a significant breakthrough remain low, with both sides maintaining firm positions on their core demands. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his willingness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face to secure a lasting peace. The talks come as fighting intensifies and civilian casualties rise, while external factors like US political deadlines and sanctions threats add urgency but also complexity to the negotiations.
The Kremlin has downplayed the likelihood of immediate results, insisting that Russia's objectives in the conflict remain unchanged.
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