Zelensky responds to Putin: First a ceasefire from May 12, then we can talk in Istanbul

(Patria) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's call for peace talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul.

"It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally started considering the possibility of ending the war. The whole world has been waiting for this for a very long time. And the first real step towards a real end to any war is a ceasefire. There is no point in continuing the killing for a single day longer. We expect Russia to confirm a complete, lasting and reliable ceasefire starting tomorrow, May 12, and Ukraine is ready for a meeting," Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Putin.

Putin earlier said in a televised address that Russia proposes direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15 in an attempt to "remove the root causes of the conflict" and "achieve the restoration of long-term, lasting peace."

Major European powers on Saturday supported an unconditional 30-day truce in Ukraine, with the backing of US President Donald Trump, and threatened Putin with massive new sanctions if he does not accept it within a few days.