Joanna Kakissis

In terms of ending the war, no. As I said, Russia has not even agreed to a ceasefire, even after talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. A couple of weeks ago, the only breakthrough out of those talks was an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each country, an exchange which took place this weekend.

In terms of ending the war, no. As I said, Russia has not even agreed to a ceasefire, even after talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. A couple of weeks ago, the only breakthrough out of those talks was an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each country, an exchange which took place this weekend.

So, Michelle, they all looked sickly and gaunt. Their clothes were just hanging off them. Their heads were shaved. We don't know yet what these soldiers endured in Russian captivity, but other Ukrainians imprisoned by Russia have described horrific conditions. They were starved, beaten, and tortured.

So, Michelle, they all looked sickly and gaunt. Their clothes were just hanging off them. Their heads were shaved. We don't know yet what these soldiers endured in Russian captivity, but other Ukrainians imprisoned by Russia have described horrific conditions. They were starved, beaten, and tortured.

So, Michelle, they all looked sickly and gaunt. Their clothes were just hanging off them. Their heads were shaved. We don't know yet what these soldiers endured in Russian captivity, but other Ukrainians imprisoned by Russia have described horrific conditions. They were starved, beaten, and tortured.

Well, it was incredibly moving and also heartbreaking. Families were gathered in this leafy courtyard in northern Ukraine, waiting to see if their loved ones would be among the soldiers getting off these chartered buses. 18-year-old Milena Moroz held a photo of her father, who has been missing since February, and she broke down when we talked. I'm sure you've never been able to say, I love you.

Well, it was incredibly moving and also heartbreaking. Families were gathered in this leafy courtyard in northern Ukraine, waiting to see if their loved ones would be among the soldiers getting off these chartered buses. 18-year-old Milena Moroz held a photo of her father, who has been missing since February, and she broke down when we talked. I'm sure you've never been able to say, I love you.

Well, it was incredibly moving and also heartbreaking. Families were gathered in this leafy courtyard in northern Ukraine, waiting to see if their loved ones would be among the soldiers getting off these chartered buses. 18-year-old Milena Moroz held a photo of her father, who has been missing since February, and she broke down when we talked. I'm sure you've never been able to say, I love you.

She's saying, I wish I had told them, I love you, Dad. So when the buses carrying the soldiers arrived, the families rushed to hug them as they walked out. One young soldier, Anton Kobylnik, told us he'd been in captivity for three years. He's saying, I won't really feel like I'm at home until I see my mom. We only saw a handful of these reunions.

She's saying, I wish I had told them, I love you, Dad. So when the buses carrying the soldiers arrived, the families rushed to hug them as they walked out. One young soldier, Anton Kobylnik, told us he'd been in captivity for three years. He's saying, I won't really feel like I'm at home until I see my mom. We only saw a handful of these reunions.

She's saying, I wish I had told them, I love you, Dad. So when the buses carrying the soldiers arrived, the families rushed to hug them as they walked out. One young soldier, Anton Kobylnik, told us he'd been in captivity for three years. He's saying, I won't really feel like I'm at home until I see my mom. We only saw a handful of these reunions.

However, Michelle, most family members were left waiting in tears, including 18-year-old Milena Moroz. Her father is still missing.

However, Michelle, most family members were left waiting in tears, including 18-year-old Milena Moroz. Her father is still missing.

However, Michelle, most family members were left waiting in tears, including 18-year-old Milena Moroz. Her father is still missing.

Speaking to reporters in Turkey, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Russia missed an opportunity to work toward a peace deal by sending mid-level technocrats to the talks.

Speaking to reporters in Turkey, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Russia missed an opportunity to work toward a peace deal by sending mid-level technocrats to the talks.

Putin had proposed the talks for May 15th as the Kremlin fueled speculation that he might attend. Then President Trump said he might go too. But only Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showed up in Turkey on Thursday. He sent his own delegation to Istanbul, but won't be attending. Joanna Kekisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

Putin had proposed the talks for May 15th as the Kremlin fueled speculation that he might attend. Then President Trump said he might go too. But only Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showed up in Turkey on Thursday. He sent his own delegation to Istanbul, but won't be attending. Joanna Kekisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Zelensky said that if Putin does not show up in Turkey, it will send a clear signal. Russia is not ready for any kind of negotiation. Zelensky says he will be in Turkey's capital, Ankara, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and would move to Istanbul if Putin insists on meeting there.

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Zelensky said that if Putin does not show up in Turkey, it will send a clear signal. Russia is not ready for any kind of negotiation. Zelensky says he will be in Turkey's capital, Ankara, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and would move to Istanbul if Putin insists on meeting there.