Russia and Ukraine have discussed further prisoner swaps during brief talks in Istanbul, but the sides remained far apart on ceasefire terms and a possible meeting of their leaders.

By Ben Aris in Berlin Russia and Ukraine have concluded a third round of direct negotiations in Istanbul on July 23, agreeing to another large POW swap and including civilians in future prisoner exchanges for the first time,

MOSCOW, RUSSIA | Xinhua | After a brief third round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday, hopes for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine remain, unsurprisingly, as frail as ever. During the 40-minute talks,