"Peace requires Putin to come to the negotiating table"

Negotiations began with a speech by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who expressed "deep sadness" over the situation.

But a way out can be found and everyone wins on a fair peace agreement, Erdogan continued according to the news agency AP.

- As members of the delegations, you have a historical responsibility.

The whole world is waiting for good news from you.

Abramovich on the spot

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, one of the West's oligarchs sanctioned by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is in attendance, according to Reuters.

He is usually called "Putin's right hand", says SVT's Turkey correspondent Tomas Thorén.

- He is a person with a lot of influence in Moscow and Russia, as well as good connections in the west, says SVT's Turkey correspondent Tomas Thorén.

Exactly who participates from the delegations is, however, unknown.

- There should be an adviser from Putin on site, but it is also said that it is probably necessary for Putin to come to the negotiating table in order to achieve a lasting peace, says Tomas Thorén.

Clear Ukrainian requirements

Ukraine has made its demands clear in advance: peace, as soon as possible.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has also reiterated his compromise proposals on future neutrality and the status of the Donbass region.

But nothing should happen at the expense of "people, land or sovereignty", says Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Ukrainian television according to the BBC.

- Humanitarian issues are a minimum.

The maximum impact would be to reach an agreement on a ceasefire.

Ahead of Tuesday's meeting, Kuleba has urged delegates to "not eat or drink anything" and preferably avoid touching any surfaces.

The warning comes after reports that Roman Abramovich and at least two Ukrainian peace negotiators are showing symptoms of suspected poisoning.

May receive security guarantees

According to sources in the Financial Times, Russian demands have changed ahead of the talks.

Russia no longer demands that Ukraine be "denazified".

It is also prepared to allow Ukraine to join the EU - if the country abandons the goal of NATO membership.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the talks had not led to any significant progress so far, but said it was important to continue with physical meetings.