Russia and Ukraine’s first direct talks in three years began Friday with hopes as dim as the gray Istanbul skies.

The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine since the early weeks of Moscow’s 2022 invasion ended Friday after less than two hours, and a senior Ukrainian official said the Russian side introduced new “unacceptable demands.

The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine since the war began ended in less than two hours, with President Trump expressing his willingness to intervene after Russian President Vladimir Putin skipped the meeting.