Ukrainians believe Putin is "laughing at Trump in front of the whole world" after he sidestepped peace talks, leaving hopes for a ceasefire hanging by a thread.

Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia's delegation at peace talks on Ukraine in Turkey, said on Thursday that Moscow's aim was to secure a long-lasting peace with Kyiv by looking for common ground and removing the reasons for the conflict.

Russia and Ukraine’s first direct talks in three years began Friday with hopes as dim as the gray Istanbul skies.