Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed reviving direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15 “without preconditions,” responding to growing international calls for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.

Leaders from four major European countries threatened to ratchet up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin if he does not accept

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding “direct talks” with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul, as European leaders and the United States attempt to put pressure on Moscow to agree to a 30-day ceasefire in order to bring an end to the three-year conflict.