In a rare, late-night television address from the Kremlin on Saturday, Putin told Russians, “We seek serious talks... to remove the root causes of the conflict and start moving toward a lasting, strong peace,” adding that the talks should ”start without delay, as early as May 15.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed resuming direct talks with Ukraine to be held in Istanbul as early as next week. Putin proposes resuming direct talks with Ukraine Russia's self-declared ceasefire expires.

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