There has been much speculation about what Russia wants from the peace talks, just beginning in Istanbul.
According to the Financial Times, Russia has dropped demands that Ukraine is "denazified" and is prepared to let it join the European Union as long as it is not militarily aligned.
The paper quotes four people close to the talks saying a possible deal would involve Ukraine abandoning its drive for Nato membership in exchange for security guarantees.
But it does not contain discussion of three initial core Russian demands over denazification, demilitarisation or legal protection fort the Russian language, the FT says.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said his county was not "trading people, land or sovereignty", while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said talks have so far not yielded substantial progress.

Don't eat or drink anything at Russia talks - Ukraine minister
Before today's talks in Istanbul started, Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba advised anyone going to the negotiations with the Russian Federation "not to eat or drink anything, and preferably avoid touching any surface".
He was speaking during an interview with Ukrainian news channel Ukrayina 24.
The warning came after the suspected poisoning of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian negotiators earlier this month at peace talks on the Ukraine-Belarus border.
There is some scepticism about the alleged poisoning and an unnamed US official was quoted by Reuters as saying that intelligence suggested the men's symptoms were due to "environmental" factors, not poisoning.
As we've been reporting, Abramovich has been spotted at the negotiations, in pictures broadcast by Turkish media.

Talks begin, but hopes of a breakthrough are low
The Russian and Ukrainian delegations have now arrived at the Dolmabahce - President Erdogan’s office on the banks of the Bosphorus here in Istanbul.
They're sat along a long table facing each other. The Turkish leader has addressed them, followed by applause.
These are the first face-to-face talks in over a fortnight but hopes of any breakthrough are low.
Erdogan spoke of his “deep sorrow” that conflict has entered its fifth week, saying Turkey’s friendship with both countries gave it an obligation to mediate.
"It is in the hands of both sides to stop this tragedy," he said.
Turkey is a Nato member but retains strong ties with Russia. Mr Erdogan has resisted joining the West’s sanctions against Moscow - one of the few countries still to do so.

Peace will not have a loser - Erdogan
Continuing with his welcome, Recep Tayyip Erdogan says there is a lot resting on the talks.
He says a "fair peace" will not have a loser and that the conflict continuing benefits no one.
"At such a critical time we are pleased to welcome you and to contribute to your efforts to establish peace," he says, adding: "I wish that our meetings and discussions will prove to be auspicious for your countries, our region and all humankind."
He has called for an immediate ceasefire and says stopping the tragedy is up to both sides.

Talks need to yield results - Erdogan tells delegates
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says both Ukraine's Zelensky and Russia's Putin are "valuable friends", as he sets the scene for talks in Istanbul this morning.
He says progress at the talks would pave the way for the leaders to meet - and that Turkey could host that too.
He also tells the Russian and Ukrainian teams that both sides have "legitimate concerns" but that we have reached a moment when talks need to yield "concrete results".

They should reach a deal asap!

Anyhow anyhow, Ukraine won my heart

Russia is negotiating from a point of weakness..Putin is in no position to make demands right now!

Russia is NOT winning this war..Every day, Russia lose tanks, BMPs, Tigers, supply trucks, etc and more importantly - Russian soldiers.

Rastaramsey:
Anyhow anyhow, Ukraine won my heart

Exactly. And Erdogan is doing well.

Speculations, it is..