Window of opportunity mustn't be wasted

That there are to be peace talks between Russia and Ukraine later this week in Turkiye, the first in seven weeks, is welcome news.

The two belligerents sitting down at the negotiating table is crucial to end the almost three and a half years of conflict, as there is unlikely to be a decisive victory for one side or the other on the battlefield for the time being.

Exactly when the talks will take place is unclear. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that the next round of peace talks will be held in Turkiye on Wednesday. However, Russia's TASS news agency quoted a source as saying that the third round of talks will take place on Thursday.