Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky raised the stakes ahead of a potential meeting with Vladimir Putin in Turkey by saying he wouldn’t hold talks with any Russian representative other than the president himself.

Putin's absence punctured hopes of a breakthrough in peace efforts that were given a push in recent months by the Trump administration and Western European leaders.

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.