Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to meet “in person” with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15 for talks on ending the war.

His announcement came shortly after US President Donald Trump asked Ukraine to agree to Putin's proposal for direct talks between the two countries in Turkey.

"There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will wait for Putin in Turkey on Thursday (May 15). In person," Zelensky wrote.

If the talks take place, it would be the first meeting between Putin and Zelensky since 2019, the BBC reported.

Earlier, the Ukrainian president said his country was open to talks with Russia, but only after a ceasefire was reached.

Western powers have called for a 30-day pause in fighting to begin on May 12 after European leaders heading the so-called “coalition of the willing” met in Kiev on May 10.

Putin's proposal for direct talks followed that meeting.

Then on May 11, Trump wrote on social media that Ukraine should agree to this “immediately” and it would provide clarity on whether there was a way to end the war.

"At least they will be able to determine if a deal is possible, and if not, European leaders and the US will know where everything stands and can act accordingly. Hold the meeting, now," the US president insisted. | BGNES