Russian and Ukrainian officials meet in Istanbul for talks, but fighting is intensifying and progress towards a peace deal is limited

Russia and Ukraine prepare for second round of talks in Istanbul as fighting continues to escalate. Although President Trump has called for peace, progress is slow and the White House has threatened to pull out of the mediation. Delegations will table peace proposals, but positions remain irreconcilable. Ukraine has launched ambitious attacks and Russia has stepped up bombing. Negotiations are complicated by Moscow's demands for Ukraine's withdrawal from NATO and control of occupied territories.