The first high-level talks between Russia and Ukraine since the early months of Moscow's 2022 invasion showed they are far from agreement on steps needed for a ceasefire, even though they promised a major swap of prisoners of war.

Before the talks even began, President Donald Trump predicted there would be no progress unless he and Russian President Vladimir Putin were involved.

Ukraine and Russia began their largest exchange of prisoners of war on Friday that had been agreed during their first peace talks in three years, according to Ukrainian officials.

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".

MOSCOW: New peace talks with Ukraine had "yet to be agreed", the Kremlin said on Thursday (May 22), disputing reports the two nations would soon hold negotiations at the Vatican. Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have stepped up a gear in recent weeks,

The US and European leaders are placing their hopes in the Vatican to engage Russia and Ukraine in peace talks, after President Donald Trump said Pope Leo XIV had expressed interest in the idea. The Kremlin isn’t so keen.

Though neither a superpower nor a has-been superpower, Ukraine is the only country that can effectively end the war.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he expected Russia to present a Ukraine ceasefire outline within days that will show if it is serious, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of buying time.