Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first direct peace talks in three years, but hopes for a breakthrough remained dim after Russian President Vladimir Putin spurned an offer by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet face-to-face in Turkey.

Zelenskyy said ceasefire talks will be held in Istanbul, led by his Defence Minister Umerov. He thanked Turkiye for support and Crimea recognition, reiterating that Russia does not want to end war.