Hectic two weeks leaves Russia confident - and peace in Ukraine feeling no closer2 days ago Share Save Steve Rosenberg Russia editor Share SavePAVEL BEDNYAKOV/POOL/AFP via GettyIt's 2:30am. Along with a small group of journalists, I'd been invited to "an event with President Putin". Instead, live on Russian TV, Putin delivered a statement in which he proposed direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. Right now, the Ukraine peace process resembles being lost in the Kremlin late at night. Instead, according to President Trump, "Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War".