It was the first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks since the early weeks of Moscow’s 2022 invasion. While both sides agreed to a prisoner swap, they remain far apart on ending the fighting.

The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since the early weeks of the war lasted just two hours in Istanbul on Friday and only agreed on a prisoner swap — a sign the two sides remain very far apart over ending the conflict.

Direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are taking place with lower-level delegations. This will be the first time the two countries have held direct talks since the first weeks of Russia's invasion.