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

It was the first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks since the early weeks of Moscow’s 2022 invasion. While both sides agreed to a prisoner swap, they remain far apart on ending the fighting.

Türkiye hosts first direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in three years, sides agree on largest prisoner exchange since war began - Anadolu Ajansı