ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Who are Russia and Ukraine sending to the first direct diplomatic talks between the two warring countries since the spring of 2022? Just over an hour before Moscow's midnight on May 14,

Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first direct peace talks in three years, both countries said Thursday, but hopes for a breakthrough remained dim after Russian President Vladimir Putin spurned an offer by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet face-to-face in Turkey.

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

As Russian President Vladimir Putin explores a potential peace settlement to end the war in Ukraine, hawkish anti-Western nationalists at home are waging a campaign to keep the conflict going.

Russian President Vladimir Putin criticised Ukraine's military recruitment methods, claiming that Ukrainian officials are forcibly conscripting individuals "like dogs" off the streets.

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