RT News - May 16 2025 (09:00 MSK)

After a full day's delay direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine may still be on the cards this Friday in Istanbul. As Moscow's team waited at the agreed upon location yesterday, Kiev's negotiators were nowhere to be seen. Vladimir Zelensky instead appeared more concerned with having due homage paid - than the possibility of peace. The Ukrainian leader also refuses to leave room for any land concessions, even as his main backer - the US - admits its impossible for the territories in question, to be returned.