Overview

• Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each, the largest such swap since the war began, as a confidence-building measure.
• The talks, held under Turkish mediation, concluded after less than two hours without progress toward a ceasefire or a halt to hostilities.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyj criticized Russian President Putin for not attending the talks, calling it a missed opportunity for peace.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders voiced frustration over Russia's unwillingness to make initial concessions toward a truce.
• The Kremlin emphasized the need for extensive preparations before any high-level summit, delaying potential further diplomatic breakthroughs.