Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Turkey for direct talks with Russia. But the Kremlin sent a lower-level delegation that doesn't include President Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed in Turkey to show he was ready for ceasefire talks. But Russian President Vladimir Putin stayed in Moscow, signaling it's premature for Russia to call an end to the war.

Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first direct peace talks in three years, but hopes for a breakthrough remained dim after Russian President Vladimir Putin spurned an offer by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet face-to-face in Turkey.