If Putin skips talks, it signals Moscow not seeking peace

We agree that if there is no real progress this week, we will then work together at the European level for a significant tightening of [Russia] sanctions. FRIEDRICH MERZ, German chancellor

- Agence France-Presse

KYIV: Ukraine said on Tuesday that if Vladimir Putin skips talks in Turkey it would be a "clear sign" to the world the Russian leader is not serious about peace, and the West should reply with boosted military support to Kyiv.

The meeting set for Thursday in Istanbul would be the first direct negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian officials since the early months of Moscow's invasion in 2022.