Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first direct peace talks in three years, but hopes for a breakthrough are still dim after Russian President Vladimir Putin spurned an offer by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet face-to-face in Turkey.

Ukraine has so far only considered a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. No other formats of contact with Russia were discussed, stated Zelenskyy during a press conference.

A direct meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may happen soon. The Kremlin said this will depend on real progress in peace talks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made the statement after rare negotiations in Turkey.