Ukraine alleged that the Kremlin proposed fresh “unacceptable demands,” including the retreat of Ukrainian forces from extensive areas, the official, who remained anonymous owing to restrictions on making public statements, informed The Associated Press.

The demands had not been previously discussed, the official said.

On Thursday, Rubio said “we don’t have high expectations of what will happen” at the Russia-Ukraine talks.

He said he believed a breakthrough was only possible is a meeting between Trump and Putin.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy was in Tirana, Albania, engaging with leaders from 47 European nations to deliberate on security, defense, and democratic norms amid the ongoing conflict.

“If the Russian representatives in Istanbul today cannot even agree to that, to [a] ceasefire, to this clearly necessary first step, then it will be 100 per cent clear that Putin continues to undermine diplomacy,” Zelenskyy said. “If that’s not the case, there must be at least some result today, starting with a ceasefire.”