What Putin and Zelensky’s meeting in 2019 tells us about the fate of peace talks - Even though neither leader met in the Istanbul summits, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky have met before

Zelensky described the June 2 negotiations with Russia in Istanbul as a “political performance” and “artificial diplomacy”, reported AP.

With a long-range drone strike deep inside Russia, Ukraine sends a clear message ahead of Istanbul peace talks: we are ready to keep fighting if Moscow insists on total victory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused each other of not genuinely seeking an end to the the nearly 3.5-year-long war. While Zelensky said Moscow was using stalling tactics to avoid a truce,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, ahead of inaugurating the iconic Chenab Railway Bridge. At Katra Railway Station, he also interacted with school children aboard the train, marking a significant moment for rail connectivity in Jammu Kashmir.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday dismissed Russia’s ceasefire proposal as “an ultimatum” and renewed his call for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to break the deadlock over the three-year war.

Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of “resorting to terrorism,” blaming President Zelensky for deadly attacks on civilians, including a bridge blast and train derailment that killed seven and injured over 100.

The belligerent language and the recent strikes make clear that a wide gap separates Ukraine and Russia, even as their officials have been engaged in direct talks.