Hello everyone and welcome to Ammanpur. Here's what's coming up.

Without pressure on Russia, those in Moscow will continue to show contempt for real diplomacy

and keep destroying lives. Russia and the U.S. meet for ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia. But what might a peace agreement mean for the people of Ukraine?

We hear from regional expert Dara Masico. And in Turkey, could the arrest of Istanbul's mayor signal a turning point for democracy?

Opposition party leader Osgar Ozil joins us with an insider's perspective.

Then I speak with Olivia Hill, a trans-lawmaker navigating prejudice and toxic politics in Tennessee.

Also, there's this misconception that DEI brings in unqualified candidates, and that's absolutely not true.

Hari Srinivasa talks to filmmaker Asako Gladstow and Dr. Lashana Finazi about dealing with

inequality in the program, everyone. I'm Biana O'Oledriga, New York, sitting in for Christian Ammanpur.

A United States delegation is in Saudi Arabia today, meeting with Kremlin representatives for negotiations on a partial ceasefire in Ukraine.

This comes one day after a U.S. team met Ukrainian negotiators there for what officials are calling productive talks.

Ukraine is clear that the onus is on Putin to end the war. But officials in Kiev are concerned about these comments from Trump envoy Steve Whitkoff speaking with Tucker Carlson,

appearing to echo Russia's own talking points on annexing Ukrainian territory.

Well, first of all, I think the largest issue in that conflict are these so-called four regions. Donbos, Crimea,

you know, the names. Lugansk, and there's two others. They're Russian speaking. Yep.

There have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule.

Yes.

I think that's the key issue in the conflict.

And as the talks continue, so do attacks on Ukraine.

Russian strikes have killed at least four people in the last 24 hours, according to regional officials.

So Ken Washington broker a fair and just peace?

Dara Masco is an expert on Russia with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and joins the program from D.C.

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