VLADIMIR Putin has said he wants to hold direct peace talks with Ukraine within just days.

Speaking to reporters in the Kremlin in the early hours of Sunday, Putin proposed to restart negotiations that Russia and Ukraine held in 2022.

This follows Ukraine and four European leaders urging Russia to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire beginning on Monday or risk “painful sanctions”.

The ultimatum was given after talks in Kyiv attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland.

The United States and other countries back the proposal, they said.

The Kremlin’s spokesperson told CNN that Moscow will “consider” the proposal but emphasized that “many questions” remain and that Russia is “resistant to any form of pressure”.

Now, Putin says he wants to hold direct talks with Ukraine in Turkey on May 15.

The dictator stated: “It was not Russia that terminated negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv. However, we are suggesting that Kyiv restart direct negotiations without any preconditions.

“Despite everything, we offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday, in Istanbul.

“Let me remind you that as a result of these negotiations, a joint draft document was prepared, and it was initialled by the head of the Kyiv negotiating group, but at the insistence of the West, it was thrown into the trash.”

Putin also claimed Russia had made several ceasefire initiatives, but Kyiv failed to respond to the proposals.

He said: “Kyiv authorities have not responded to any of our ceasefire proposals.

“During the three days of the declared ceasefire, Kyiv has made 5 attempts to attack the Russian border.”

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