Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin announced late on Wednesday Russia's delegation to direct talks with Ukraine on settling the war, including an adviser to the president, a top diplomat and senior military and intelligence officials.

Vladimir Putin will not travel to Turkey and is instead sending the deputy foreign affairs and defence ministers, the head of his military intelligence, and the presidential aide, who will lead the delegation,

Moscow thinks it’s winning in Ukraine and can play hardball diplomatically. Washington sees costly, incremental gains and an unrealistic negotiating position.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is prepared to meet Vladimir Putin this week, shortly after US President Donald Trump urged him to “immediately” accept the Russian leader’s offer to hold peace talks in Turkey.

The EU is preparing new sanctions on Russia despite a potential meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, three sources told CNBC.

Russia has called for direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, but Ukraine’s European allies maintain Putin needs to be pressured into a ceasefire first.

Kremlin slams ‘unacceptable’ ceasefire ultimatum after Moscow told to agree today - Volodymyr Zelensky says he is ready to meet Putin ‘personally’ this week in Istanbul, Turkey, for peace talks