First Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in 3 Years End After Less Than 2 Hours

No Apparent Sign of Progress So Far in Narrowing the Gap Between Both Sides

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ISTANBUL - The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in more than three years lasted well under two hours, with no apparent sign of progress so far in narrowing the gap between both sides, and a Ukrainian source calling Moscow's demands "non-starters".

Delegations from the warring sides met at a palace in Turkey on May 16, their first face-to-face meeting since March 2022, the month after Russia's invasion of its neighbour.

The chasm between the two sides was quickly apparent, according to the Ukrainian source, who told Reuters that Russia's demands were "detached from reality and go far beyond anything that was previously discussed".

They included ultimatums for Ukraine to withdraw from parts of its own territory in order to obtain a ceasefire "and other non-starters and non-constructive conditions", the source told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

There was no immediate word from the Russian side.

Expectations for a major breakthrough, already low, were dented further on May 15 when US President Donald Trump, during a Middle East tour, said there would be no movement without a meeting between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin.