Russia and Ukraine are holding a third round of ceasefire talks in Istanbul. The talks follow new threats from President Trump to impose harsh economic penalties on Russia if a peace deal isn't reached by early September. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for a meeting between himself and Putin, prioritizing humanitarian issues like prisoner exchanges and the return of abducted children. The Kremlin, while calling Trump's threats serious, remains cautious and downplayed expectations for a breakthrough, citing diametrically opposed positions. Moscow's core demands include Ukraine's neutrality and territorial concessions. The Kremlin's response reflects awareness of Trump's unpredictable nature and a belief that US support for Ukraine will diminish.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.