Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is pleased to see that Russia is finally engaging with finding an end to the war, but there must be a ceasefire before peace talks can start.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding “direct talks” with Kyiv, a move welcomed by his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky although he stressed that Moscow must agree to a ceasefire first.

Turkey is ready to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul again, President Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Sunday, Erdogan's office said.