Ukraine's defence minister recently had a call with the head of the Russian delegation in the Istanbul talks, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday, in order to discuss the memorandum Moscow is currently working on laying out its conditions for any peace accord.

While world leaders bicker over the prospects for peace, the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two is heating up fast.

Germany has given Ukraine the green light to strike targets inside Russia using long-range weapons supplied by Berlin, in a decision that signals a notable hardening of Western resolve as the war grinds on.

The chancellor said earlier there were "no longer" any range restrictions on weapons supplied by Kyiv's Western allies.

Germany's chancellor said his government will lift all range restrictions on weapons it sends to Ukraine, being the last major western ally to do so.

Germany lifts range restrictions on weapons to Ukraine, allowing attacks on Russian military positions. Chancellor Merz emphasizes Western support amid conflict.