Russia and Ukraine’s first direct talks in three years began Friday with hopes as dim as the gray Istanbul skies.

After dangling the possibility of his attendance, Trump says he will stay away but still wants to meet with Putin, further weakening the Istanbul talks.

Russia, continuing its slow but steady military advance, remains deeply sceptical of a temporary ceasefire, fearing it could give Ukraine the opportunity to rearm and reorganise. Moscow has insisted that specific terms must be formalised before any such truce can take effect.