A diplomatic frenzy consumed Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace as Russia and Ukraine sat down to hold their first direct peace talks since the early months of this three-year war.

Despite the flurry of activity from diplomats, the negotiations lasted barely two hours and did not appear to bring the sides any closer. There was one point of agreement — a deal to swap 1,000 prisoners each, the head of Russia’s delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, said. It would be the largest swap since the start of the war.