The Ukrainian side wants to discuss a direct meeting between President Zelensky and Putin in Istanbul. A Ukrainian diplomatic source explains why this is important for them. A Ukrainian diplomatic source informed the AFP agency that the Ukrainian delegation hopes to discuss a direct meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader

US President Donald Trump will join the talks in Istanbul if Russian President Vladimir Putin does, US special envoy Keith Kellogg has said. "We're hoping President Putin shows up as well, and then President Trump will be there.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being too "afraid" to turn up for face-to-face peace talks in Istanbul as direct negotiations erupted in accusations that Russia made "unacceptable demands.