Ukrainian and Russian officials met in Istanbul for the first time since 2022, as part of an agreement of peace negotiations hosted by Turkey.

The meeting, facilitated by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, saw no handshakes or signs of a thaw, with both delegations maintaining firmly opposing positions. Despite limited expectations, the talks are seen as a tentative step toward re-engagement, according to BBC.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a strong international response if a ceasefire agreement is not reached.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed a desire to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting, "as soon as we can." Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded a halt to the violence, stating, "The killing must stop", BBC reported.