The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since the early weeks of the war lasted just two hours in Istanbul on Friday and only agreed on a prisoner swap — a sign the two sides remain very far apart over ending the conflict.

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

Ukraine rallied support from its Western allies on Friday after Kyiv and Moscow failed to agree to a ceasefire at their first direct talks in more than three years, with Russia presenting conditions that a Ukrainian source described as "non-starters".