Ukraine
Kyiv residents had mixed opinions on Friday about the first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Vsevolod Shal, a local resident, expressed his approval of the prisoner swap, saying that it's "essential."
"Families are waiting for them," he added. Both sides agreed on a large prisoner swap after their meeting, but they clearly remained far apart on key conditions for ending the fighting.
In Istanbul, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each, according to the heads of both delegations, in what would be their biggest such swap.
Lubov Petrenko, another resident of the Ukrainian capital, said she has no "confidence" in the success of the talks.
She stressed that European countries along with the U.S. should impose further pressure on Russia. "Ukraine cannot do it alone, because we want to, we strive for it. But not everything is in our hands," she said.
Go to video
Putin attends Christmas Eve service with veterans of Ukraine war
00:00
Three people killed in Moscow car explosion, Russian authorities say
01:18
Putin accuses Kyiv of rejecting peaceful settlement, signals openness to talks
01:00
Russian bombs hit Zaporizhzhia, wounding 35 and intensifying frontline battles
01:52
Putin warns Russia will extend gains in Ukraine if peace talks fail
Go to video
South Africa moves to bring home citizens trapped in Ukraine conflict