Russia and Ukraine hold first direct talks in 3 years

ISTANBUL — Russian and Ukrainian negotiators concluded their direct meeting, the first in more than three years, in Turkiye's Istanbul on Friday, under pressure from US President Donald Trump to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.

According to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source, the talks lasted about two hours.

At the start of the meeting, live Turkish television pictures showed Russian and Ukrainian negotiators holding discussions together with a Turkish delegation. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said it was essential to secure a ceasefire "as soon as possible".