Ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine are set to take place in Turkey on Thursday, and Zelenskyy has confirmed he will attend the meeting himself, but only if Vladimir Putin agrees to be there as well.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin's failure to attend talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul on May 15 should lead to new sanctions against Russia, stated the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak,

Vladimir Putin's 25-year vice-like grip on Russia ends if he accedes to peace talks with Ukraine, experts say. The despot faces mutiny on all fronts at home - notably his army and the rise of "armed" opposition - with acceding to a ceasefire seen as a show of ultimate weakness.

There was no negotiation process with Ukraine, with the Kremlin only saying that Kyiv "should follow" its lead.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin must respond to the ceasefire proposal in Ukraine by the end of the day, The Guardian reports. According to German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius, "the clock is ticking" for Russia.

Kyiv has backed a U.S. proposal made in April for a 30-day ceasefire, which has been rejected by Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin lashes out at Western powers calling them 'morons' as he discusses post ceasefire economics at a Russian Roundtable.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that sanctions will be imposed on Russia in the coming days if it does not comply with the ceasefire, La Repubblica informs. "We want to impose sanctions against Russia in the coming days,

Moscow has hit back at Europe's 30-day ceasefire ultimatum as “unacceptable” and “unsuitable” following Western threats of sanctions.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it was wrong to “use such language with Russia” as Europe’s deadline for Russia to agree to a truce with Ukraine got closer.