The talks in Istanbul complicated a European push for the United States to pressure Russia into a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Delegations from Kyiv and Moscow are set to hold their first direct talks on the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine.

• Kyiv and Moscow are not known to have held direct talks at any level since soon after Moscow launched its unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But the stakes are higher this time, as both Trump and Ukraine’s European allies said they would impose more sanctions on Moscow if it didn’t agree to a ceasefire.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is offering direct talks that he says may lead to a longer ceasefire. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Germany will demand stronger sanctions against Russia if there is no progress this week in resolving the war in Ukraine, states the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz. Merz believes that Russia should declare its readiness for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.