Russia proposes a second round of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on 2 June. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

He said Moscow was ready to present the so-called "memorandum" on peace in Ukraine in the Turkish megalopolis.

Kiev did not immediately comment on the announcement.

Diplomatic efforts to end the fighting have accelerated in recent weeks, with the two sides meeting in Istanbul on May 16 for their first face-to-face talks in more than three years.

"Our delegation, led by Volodymyr Medinsky, is ready to present this memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation and provide the necessary explanations during the second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday, June 2," Lavrov said.

"I would like to once again express our gratitude to our Turkish partners for providing us with a hospitable venue, as was confirmed yesterday by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during his visit to Moscow," the top Russian diplomat added.

Medinsky, a Russian political scientist and former culture minister, led Russia's negotiating team during the first round of talks on May 16.

U.S. President Donald Trump has been pressing the two sides to negotiate an end to the three-year-old conflict. | BGNES