The first high-level talks between Russia and Ukraine since the early months of Moscow's 2022 invasion showed they are far from agreement on steps needed for a ceasefire, even though they promised a major swap of prisoners of war.

Russia and Ukraine’s first direct talks in three years began Friday with hopes as dim as the gray Istanbul skies.

Ten days of intense diplomatic maneuvers by Europeans and the US ahead of the meeting in Turkey were insufficient to reach a deal, as the differences between the two belligerent parties appear insurmountable.