"U.S. and Ukrainian Officials Cast Doubt on Putin's Readiness for Peace Talks"

In a recent essay, the question was raised whether Ukraine missed an early opportunity to negotiate peace with Russia. During a meeting in Istanbul's Dolmabahçe Palace, Ukrainian lead negotiator David Arakhamia made a symbolic gesture to his Russian counterpart by pointing to a bottle of sanitizing gel, hinting at the need to cleanse the situation. The essay explores the nuances and potential missed chances for both countries to reach an agreement early in the conflict.