The first peace talks in three years were supposed to begin on Thursday but amid posturing and accusations, they were pushed back at least until Friday.

Mr Trump said he was not surprised that Mr Putin was absent, saying: “Why would he go if I’m not going?” Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky raised the stakes ahead of a potential meeting with Vladimir Putin in Turkey by saying he wouldn’t hold talks with any Russian representative other than the president himself.