As per authentic reports, on one hand, Russia launched an air assault; on the other, it is steadily making advances on the Northeastern Border to Ukraine. While regularly providing lip service for peace talks, it had successfully captured four villages in ‘Sumy Oblast’ of Ukraine.

For the first time since 2022, Ukraine and Russia held direct peace talks in Istanbul, brokered by Turkey and the US. Despite no ceasefire agreement, a prisoner exchange of 1,000 soldiers was announced, offering hope amid Europe’s deadliest war since WWII.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin steer clear of Istanbul peace talks, crushing hopes of making headway in putting an end to fighting in Ukraine. Russia's first direct peace talks with Ukraine since the war broke out in March 2022 started in Istanbul without the leaders.