Pakistan, May 16 -- Russia and Ukraine have agreed to meet for direct peace talks in Istanbul for the first time in over three years. The meeting, held at Dolmabahce Palace, marks a rare moment of diplomacy in a war that has devastated Europe. Both sides face rising pressure from global leaders, especially former U.S. President Donald Trump, to end the ongoing conflict.

Expectations for a breakthrough are low, especially after Trump insisted that real progress would need a personal meeting with President Putin. Meanwhile, Russia has sent a mid-level delegation instead of its top leadership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy criticized this move, calling the Russian team "decorative" and questioned Moscow's seriousness.

According ...