Close Zelensky Hits Out at Putin After Luminous Landing in Turkey for Ukraine and Russia Peace Talks

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky launched a scathing attack on Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin early yesterday morning after Moscow and Kyiv held their first face-to-face peace talks since the war began. The conflict escalated hours later, with nine people reported killed when a Russian drone struck a passenger bus in north-eastern Ukraine's Sumy region.

Eyewitnesses revealed that the deadly drone strike occurred in Bilopillia town shortly before 4am on Saturday, sending shockwaves through local authorities who were quick to respond. Despite Moscow agreeing to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war with Ukraine following brief talks in Turkey, Kyiv rejected the terms as "unacceptable" and "detached from reality".

Zelensky has since spoken by phone with former US President Donald Trump, a move seen as an attempt to rally international support against Russia's aggressive actions. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed Zelensky's sentiments, stating that he had agreed with the Ukrainian leader on the Russian position being "unacceptable."