India, May 11 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul "without preconditions" while slamming Kyiv for allegedly backtracking on Moscow's proposals during negotiations at the West's insistence.

"It was not Russia that broke off negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv. Nevertheless, we are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions," Putin said.

The Russian leader also claimed that Moscow repeatedly put forth ceasefire initiatives and slammed Ukraine for allegedly not responding to his ceasefire proposals.

"Let me remind you that as a result of these negotiations, a joint draft document was prepared, and it was initialled by the head of the Kyiv negoti...