By Vladimir Soldatkin, Tom Balmforth and Huseyin HayatseverISTANBUL (Reuters) -Russia told Ukraine at peace talks on Monday that it would only agree to end the war if Kyiv gives up big new chunks of territory and accepts limits on the size of its army,

Russia and Ukraine held peace talks in Istanbul, agreeing to exchange prisoners of war and return the bodies of 12,000 fallen soldiers. The meeting lasted less than an hour and was only the second formal negotiation since the conflict began in March 2022.

By making harsh, uncompromising demands in peace talks with Ukraine while continuing to pummel it with waves of missiles and drones, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a clear message: He will only accept a settlement on his terms and will keep fighting until they’re met.