Russia-Ukraine talks proposed in Turkiye

In a potential breakthrough in Europe's largest military conflict in decades, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is willing to meet with Russia's President Vladimir Putin for talks on Thursday in Istanbul, Turkiye.

The Ukrainian leader's statement came after Putin, in remarks released to media early on Sunday, proposed talks with Ukraine "without preconditions".

Zelensky said in response he was willing to meet Putin "personally", but called for a complete ceasefire to begin on Monday ahead of the talks.

Speaking from the Kremlin on Sunday, Putin did not make clear whether the talks would involve Zelensky and him personally.

In a post on X, Ukraine's president said: "We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow (Monday), to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy.... And I will be waiting for Putin in Turkiye on Thursday."

With the conflict now in its fourth year, Zelensky said the proposal was a "positive sign" and that "the entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time".

The European Commission has endorsed the ceasefire initiative, and has backed the proposed Istanbul talks between Russia and Ukraine aimed at ending the conflict, reported Euronews.

United States President Donald Trump expressed doubt on Sunday that Ukraine will reach a ceasefire agreement with Russia, while encouraging Ukraine to attend Thursday's proposed talks.

In a social media post, Trump said the talks would mean the two parties as well as European leaders and the US would then be "able to determine whether or not a deal is possible".

Following a meeting with Zelensky in Kyiv on Saturday, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom issued a coordinated call for a 30-day truce starting on May 12, backed by the European Union and the US and warning of tougher sanctions if Russia refuses.

Speaking at a joint news conference with the four other leaders in Kyiv, the UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Putin to prove he was "serious" about peace.

France's President Emmanuel Macron told France 24 Putin's comments were "a first step, but not enough".

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday expressed the hope that the parties concerned will carry on dialogue and negotiations to reach a peace agreement.

"On the issue of the Ukraine crisis, China's position has been consistently clear, and we support all efforts dedicated to peace," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular news conference in Beijing.

"China is ready to act in accordance with the aspirations of the parties concerned, work together with the international community, and continue to play a constructive role for the final resolution of the crisis and the realization of a lasting peace," said Lin.

Zhang Yunbi in Beijing contributed to this story.