Russia and Ukraine held brief peace talks, but the warring countries remain far apart with little progress made.

Ukraine and Russia will resume face-to-face peace talks in Turkey on July 23 amid escalating airstrikes and entrenched demands from both sides.

"President Putin has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible. This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy," Mr Peskov told state television reporter Pavel Zarubin.