A senior Ukrainian official at the peace talks in Istanbul accused Moscow on Friday of introducing “unacceptable demands” that had not been previously discussed, including calls for Kyiv's forces to withdraw from large swaths of territory they control so a complete ceasefire to be implemented.

The two-hour meeting was not promising, with the delegations refusing to shake hands. Much of the Ukrainian delegation wore green camouflage fatigues, while Russian officials dressed in suits.