The Kremlin opened the door - but just a crack. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin is ready to meet Zelensky, but exclusively to finalize a peace deal. Not for negotiations, not for exchanging ideas - only for a signature.

Kyiv responded that it is ready for a meeting at any neutral location except Russia and Belarus. Ankara is in play as a potential host.

But "ready to meet under certain conditions" is diplomatic code for "not ready." Putin wants Zelensky to accept everything first, then come to sign. Zelensky wants to talk first, then see. Meanwhile, missiles keep falling.