Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said that Kyiv would meet with Moscow for talks in Istanbul on May 15 but said that Russia must first commit to a 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday.

Zelensky -- using rare language since Moscow launched it's invasion more than three years ago that has devastated Ukraine -- said he did see a "positive sign" from Russia.

The warring sides have not held direct talks since the start of the invasion -- launched by the Kremlin in February 2022.

Zelensky's comments came after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed that Kyiv and Moscow meet on May 15.

However, in the nighttime press conference at the Kremlin, Putin did not comment on the 30-day ceasefire proposal put forward by Kyiv and its European allies.

On a visit to Kyiv on Saturday the leaders of France, the UK, Germany and Poland pressured Russia -- with US President Donald Trump's support -- to commit to an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine starting from Monday.

Russia's invasion has dragged on for more than three years and killed........

© International Business Times