So, Russia and Ukraine are still as far apart as ever, with the two warring countries unable to make a significant breakthrough in direct talks in Istanbul. While there was agreement to exchange more prisoners,

After Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian air bases, the two sides talked for less than an hour in Istanbul, and a halt to the fighting seems out of reach for now.

Russia took weeks to present to Ukraine with a “memorandum” setting out its conditions for a ceasefire, as well as key guidelines for a comprehensive treaty to end the 3-year-old war