Russia has called for direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, but Ukraine’s European allies say Putin needs to agree to a ceasefire first.

Kremlin to reveal ‘tonight’ if Putin will dodge crucial Turkey peace talks - Zelensky says he will fly to Istanbul at a moment's notice if Putin does show up

While US President Donald Trump "thinks" of flying to Turkey this week for possible talks between Ukraine and Russia over the ongoing war, the European leaders are threatening Moscow with a new round

The spokesperson for the European Commission, Paula Pinho, suggested that Vladimir Putin might be surprised by Volodymyr Zelensky's readiness to meet in person. This comment came in the context of the Russian leader's refusal to agree to an immediate ceasefire and engage in talks with the Ukrainian president.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out at Western leaders for imposing economic sanctions on the country due to the war in Ukraine. Putin on May 13 described Western leaders as 'idiots'. Putin also said that Russia will allow Western companies that left its market back only if it is beneficial for the country.

The European Commission is considering imposing additional sanctions on Russia. Following Russia's refusal to agree to a ceasefire, the foreign ministers of France and Germany advocated for increased pressure through new sanctions.

The Commission has presented a "roadmap" to end all imports of Russian gas by 2027 and stop "sponsoring Putin's brutal military actions." The measure comes more than three years after the invasion of Ukraine.

They had warned Moscow that if Russia didn't agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire from Monday, there will be more sanctions against Russia and more military assistance for Ukraine.On Saturday, Sir Keir Starmer said that "if he [Putin] is serious about peace,

With Russian forces grinding forward, Putin has offered few, if any, concessions, but has proposed talks in Istanbul that he said would be held without preconditions and aimed at a durable peace.

The Istanbul meeting will be decisive in determining a ceasefire: if it does not take place, it will signal that Russia is not interested in ending the war. In that case, the West must act decisively and impose the strongest possible sanctions package,