Russia-Ukraine talks conclude in Istanbul: Live Updates

The first direct talks between Moscow and Kiev in over three years have concluded at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.

Representatives from Türkiye, Ukraine, and the US held separate discussions ahead of the negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations on Friday.

As the peace talks were planned to take place on Thursday, the Kremlin delegation had been waiting for its counterpart to arrive for the whole day. Vladimir Zelensky named his delegation later in the evening. It consists of 12 delegates and is led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered on Sunday to resume direct dialogue between Moscow and Kiev to find a lasting settlement that would address the root causes of the conflict.