Putin says that Russia is ready for negotiations, but "without preconditions". He further proposes that direct talks between Russia and Ukraine begin on May 15 in Istanbul.
Russia's proposal for negotiations is on the table, the decision lies with Kyiv and Kyiv's curators, Putin said at an unusually held press conference on Sunday night, according to the Russian state news agency RIA.
Rejects ceasefire
Ukraine and about 30 countries have demanded that Russia agree to a minimum 30-day unconditional ceasefire from Monday.
If Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire, stricter sanctions against Russia and more support to Ukraine await, announced the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Poland during a visit to Kyiv on Saturday.
The ceasefire is to be the basis for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on a "robust and lasting peace", stated French President Emmanuel Macron at a joint press conference.
Putin said during his appearance that negotiations in Turkey later in the week could lead to a ceasefire, but repeated his position that what he calls the "root causes" of the Russian attack war must be resolved.
Air alarm in Ukraine
Shortly after Putin's press conference, the Ukrainian air force again of Russian air strikes, with attack drones over several Ukrainian regions.
The Russia-declared "ceasefire" during the Victory Day celebrations is now formally over, simultaneously Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted. Russian combat operations at the front lines and air strikes against Ukrainian communities despite the unilaterally declared ceasefire, which according to Russia was to have lasted for three days.
The Kremlin has not yet announced who they intend to lead the proposed talks in Istanbul, and at what level they intend to hold them.
Putin further stated that he will talk to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
