Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first direct peace talks in three years, both countries said Thursday, but hopes for a breakthrough remained dim after Russian President Vladimir Putin spurned an offer by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet face-to-face in Turkey.

Ministers from NATO states slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin for not personally attending cease-fire talks in Turkey.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has said Turkey should ease prison conditions for its founder Abdullah Ocalan, declaring him the group's "chief negotiator" for any future talks after a decision to disband.

Both Iraq and Syria would benefit from having Turkish troops withdraw. Politics at home in Turkey can also be transformed.

A direct meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may happen soon. The Kremlin said this will depend on real progress in peace talks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made the statement after rare negotiations in Turkey.