After dangling the possibility of his attendance, Trump said he would stay away but still wants to meet with Putin, further weakening the Istanbul talks.

Ukraine will make securing a ceasefire a priority in expected talks with a Russian delegation in Istanbul on Friday, a Ukrainian diplomatic source said, adding there was also a need for "confidence-building measures".

Türkiye hosts first direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in three years, sides agree on largest prisoner exchange since war began - Anadolu Ajansı