“It’s simple. I’m unable to live here,” he elaborates. “I have no ability to adapt to a new country, a new culture. Some people have this ability, this strength. I don’t.”

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 theirBoth sides also discussed a ceasefire and a meeting between their heads of state, according to chief Ukrainian delegate, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports Russia and Ukraine are holding their first direct peace talks in three years.Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, said both sides agreed to provide each other with detailed ceasefire proposals, with Ukraine requesting the heads of state meeting, which Russia took under consideration.“The pressure on the Russian Federation must continue,” said Serhii Kyslytsia, Ukraine’s first deputy foreign minister and part of Kyiv’s delegation. “We should not really relax at this point.”

In this handout photo released by Turkish Foreign Ministry, from left, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Ukrainian Head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak arrive for a meeting at Dolmabahce palace in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, May 16, 2025. (Turkish Foreign Ministry via AP)In this handout photo released by Turkish Foreign Ministry, from left, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Ukrainian Head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak arrive for a meeting at Dolmabahce palace in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, May 16, 2025. (Turkish Foreign Ministry via AP)

During the talks, a senior Ukrainian official said Russia introduced new, “unacceptable demands” to withdraw Ukrainian forces from huge swaths of territory. The official, who was not authorized to make official statements, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The proposal had not been previously discussed, the official said.

The Ukrainian side reiterated it was focused on achieving real progress — an immediate ceasefire and a pathway to substantive diplomacy — “just like the U.S., European partners, and other countries proposed,” the official added.Children play at a vendor’s booth outside San Felipe Catholic church in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Children play at a vendor’s booth outside San Felipe Catholic church in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Reinaldo Almanza holds his son Reinier with a candle at San Felipe Church in honor of the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Reinaldo Almanza holds his son Reinier with a candle at San Felipe Church in honor of the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Pilgrim Ernesto Troya stretches his friend’s leg as they take a break from crawling on their knees to San Felipe Church, behind, to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)