The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has been a major point of contention between Russia and Ukraine, with peace talks remaining stalled despite efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal for an in-person summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin was rejected by Moscow unless they sign an agreement first.
Ukraine has proposed direct talks with Russia, led by Zelenskyy and Putin, within weeks. However, Moscow's Vladimir Medinsky downplayed expectations of a breakthrough, citing distant positions between the two sides on key issues such as Ukraine's NATO membership.
The conflict began with Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, and the sides remain far apart on how to end the war. The talks have focused on Ukraine's demands for an end to the war, including giving up four regions beyond Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.