Russia has reportedly given "substantial compromises" according to Vance.

Russia has agreed that Ukraine will retain its territorial integrity after the war, according to US Vice President JD Vance. This significant development comes as both countries have resumed direct negotiations in Istanbul, with a focus on facilitating the return of Ukrainian prisoners and children abducted by Russia.

However, progress has been slow, with the ceasefire agreement remaining elusive. In a recent statement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that a genuine peace offer from Russia may not be forthcoming, stating that any meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin would need to be well-prepared and would involve known demands that seem more like conditions for Ukraine's surrender than a genuine peace offer.

Trump, on the other hand, remains optimistic, stating that a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine could still take weeks. He also expressed his belief that in the next two weeks, it will become clear which direction the negotiations are heading.

The US will continue to play an active role in ensuring security guarantees for Ukraine, with Vance stating that there will be no ground troops from the US in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, away from the political landscape, life goes on. ASV Hamm-Westfalen, a local football club, started the new season with a derby win. In an unrelated incident, a shop thief jumped into the Datteln-Hamm canal, adding an unexpected twist to the day's events.

Direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow at lower levels have made little progress, with the conflict entering its third year. Russia began its attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Hopes for a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin, as suggested by former US President Donald Trump, have largely faded after statements from Moscow.

As the world watches, the negotiations continue, with both sides working towards a resolution that ensures peace and stability in the region.