Vladimir Putin has proposed restarting direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next week, but stopped short of agreeing to a Western-backed ceasefire due to begin on Monday. Speaking from the Kremlin in the early hours of Sunday,

Ukraine’s Western allies said they would strengthen sanctions if Russia refused an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

Ukraine and its allies are ready for a “full, unconditional ceasefire” with Russia for at least 30 days starting on Monday, Ukrainian FM Andrii Sybiha said Saturday. His remarks came as the leaders of four major European countries visited Kyiv,