VLADIMIR Putin has said he wants to hold direct peace talks with Ukraine within just days.
It comes after Ukraine and four European leaders pressed Russia to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday or face fresh sanctions.
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The ultimatum was given after talks in Kyiv attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland.
The United States and other countries back the proposal, they said.
The Kremlin’s spokesman told CNN that Moscow will “think through” the proposal, but stressed “there are lots of questions” remaining and that Russia is “resistant to any kind of pressure”.
Now, Putin says he wants to hold direct talks with Ukraine in Turkey on May 15.
The dictator said: “It was not Russia that broke off negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv. Nevertheless, we are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions.
“Despite everything, we offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday, in Istanbul.
“Let me remind you that as a result of these negotiations, a joint draft document was prepared, and it was initialed by the head of the Kyiv negotiating group, but at the insistence of the West, it was thrown into the trash.”
Putin also claimed Russia made several ceasefire initiatives but Kyiv failed to respomf to the proposals.
He said: “Kyiv authorities have not responded to any of our ceasefire proposals.
“During the three days of the declared ceasefire, Kyiv has made 5 attempts to attack the Russian border.”