Putin may have called for direct talks with Ukraine to break the US-Europe front, says the BBC
While Donald Trump was welcoming the proposal, European leaders expressed objections and spoke of a welcome but not sufficient step, the British network comments
Zelensky: First ceasefire, then talks with Russia – “Negotiations will be based on the situation on the ground,” Kremlin says
Putin proposed immediate negotiations on Thursday in Istanbul while Europeans and Trump were talking about a ceasefire from Monday
War in Ukraine: Putin’s proposal for negotiations is a first step, but not enough, says Macron
"An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations, by definition", said the French president