Moscow on Tuesday once again downplayed expectations for a third round of peace talks with Ukraine and did not confirm the date for a meeting in Istanbul set for Wednesday by Ukraine. Moscow's delegation at the last round of talks with Ukraine was led by a hawkish historian and the current head of the Russian Union of Writers,

MOSCOW/KYIV — Both Russia and Ukraine have signaled openness toward peace over the weekend, as fighting shows no signs of easing on the battleground.

Russia and Ukraine again exchanged a series of major overnight drone strikes as the two sides maneuvered ahead of a possible resumption of ceasefire talks later this week. Renewed talks -- if they do happen -- would take place as both Kyiv and Moscow near new records for the scale and intensity of cross-border strikes,