Talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on Tuesday are supposedly productive, the New York Times reports, quoting a Russian deputy defense official as saying their forces intend to, “by multiples, reduce military activity” around Kyiv and Chernihiv. The Russians also claimed a Putin-Zelensky meeting is close at hand, with Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky telling reporters it would be set as soon as a draft peace agreement is inked.