UK sceptical of Russian pledges

Britain mirrored Ukraine in reacting with scepticism.

"The door to diplomacy will always be left ajar, but I don't think you can trust what is coming out of the mouth of Putin's war machine," Raab told Sky News.

Talks took place in an Istanbul palace more than a month into the largest attack on a European nation since World War II that has killed or injured thousands, forced nearly 4 million to flee abroad and drawn sanctions that have pummelled Russia's economy.

"Ultimately, they need to be tested by their actions and they need to withdraw from Ukraine, not just reposition," Raab told Times Radio

"But I think we take a very sceptical view about anything coming out of Moscow."