Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being too "afraid" to turn up for face-to-face peace talks in Istanbul as direct negotiations erupted in accusations that Russia made "unacceptable demands."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday accused Russia of delaying peace talks in a bid to press on with its three-year invasion, even as US President Donald Trump pushes for an immediate ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday accused Russia of stalling peace talks and seeking to prolong the war, despite U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire. U.S. President Donald Trump held separate calls with Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.