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,

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.

Ukraine and Russia attacked targets on each other’s territory on Thursday after brief direct talks between the two sides failed to make any progress on steps to end nearly three-and-a-half years of war.