A Russian drone strike hit Ukraine’s Sumy region hours after first direct talks in three years.
It took three years to get officials from Ukraine and Russia in the same room.
But President Vladimir Putin, who proposed the meeting, did not go to Istanbul and the talks ended in less than 90 minutes.
The result: an agreement for a large-scale prisoner exchange, talks about their presidents meeting, and both sides pushing their vision of a future ceasefire.
Yet, diplomacy is not narrowing the great gap between Russia and Ukraine.
So, is President Putin agreeing to further talks to avoid more sanctions?
And with Russia steadily advancing on the battlefield, can President Zelenskyy afford to push for peace without further compromise?
Presenter: Dareen Abughaida
Guests:
Peter Zalmayev – Executive director at Eurasia Democracy Initiative
Pavel Felgenhauer – Independent defence and Russian foreign policy analyst
Anatol Lieven – Director of the Eurasia Program at Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Anurag Dhole is a seasoned journalist and content writer with a passion for delivering timely, accurate, and engaging stories. With over 8 years of experience in digital media, she covers a wide range of topics—from breaking news and politics to business insights and cultural trends. Jane's writing style blends clarity with depth, aiming to inform and inspire readers in a fast-paced media landscape. When she’s not chasing stories, she’s likely reading investigative features or exploring local cafés for her next writing spot.