Ukraine rallied support from its Western allies after Kyiv and Moscow failed to agree to a ceasefire at their first direct talks in three years.

According to Ukrainian President’s spokesperson, as soon as the talks ended, the President held a phone call with Trump and the leaders of France, Germany and Poland. He informed that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded robust sanctions against Russia if it rejected a ceasefire.

Kyiv, wants the West to impose tighter sanctions unless Moscow accepts a proposal from Trump for a 30-day ceasefire. The delegates from Russia and Ukraine met for the first time since March 2022, the month after Russia invaded its neighbour.

The talks in an Istanbul lasted well under two hours, and there was no immediate announcement on whether or when the sides might meet again. While Russia expressed satisfaction with the talks and both countries said they had agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side.