U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin were still "maybes" for what could be the first direct peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv in years after the Kremlin on Wednesday held off disclosing who would represent Russia.

Russia resumed mass drone attacks in Ukraine early on Sunday, after its self-declared three-day pause expired.

Türkiye could play critical role in peace talks, says Dutch historian, Russia expert Hubert Smeets, highlighting Ankara’s role as a mediator - Anadolu Ajansı

Ukraine's leadership will decide on its next steps for peace talks in Turkey once there is clarity on Russian President Vladimir Putin's participation, a Ukrainian diplomatic source told Reuters on Wednesday.

A Kremlin spokesperson said a Russian delegation will be in Istanbul for direct peace talks with Ukraine. But will Vladmir Putin not attend the crucial talks on Thursday? Here's all you need to know.

The new round of negotiations comes amid a long history of delaying tactics by the Russian side as the fighting in Ukraine grinds on.

By accepting Vladimir Putin’s offer for direct talks and asking for leader-level talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has put the Russian leader in a tough spot ahead of talks between the tw

President Donald Trump suggested imminent progress in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in a post to Truth Social early on Sunday.

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a Russian delegation will be in Istanbul on Thursday for possible direct peace talks with Ukraine, but did not disclose who would be there from Moscow's side. Russian President Vladimir Putin in the early hours of Sunday proposed direct negotiations in Turkey on Thursday "without any preconditions,

What will unfold remains unclear. The Kremlin has refused to confirm who’s going to Turkey and whether it will include Putin. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Zelensky will only sit down with the Russian leader.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday urged the West not to be divided on Ukraine and said he was working to ensure unity between allies in Europe and the United States on how to end the war.