Putin says Russia wants 'serious negotiations with Ukraine'

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has proposed restarting direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on 15 May. The offer came in response to Ukraine and its allies urging Moscow to commit to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Speaking to reporters, Putin referenced the unsuccessful 2022 peace talks that took place in Istanbul in the first month of Moscow's full-scale invasion and proposed restarting them without preconditions. The leaders of four major European countries have threatened to ratchet up pressure on Moscow if it does not accept the unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Ukraine war live