Sri Lanka, May 11 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for direct talks with Ukraine, "start without delay, as of May 15".

He announced this in a rare televised late-night (10) address from the Kremlin.

Putin seeks talks to address the conflict's causes and pursue lasting peace, hours after European leaders urged a 30-day ceasefire.

The Russian leader said he would discuss the details with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today (11).

European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, along with other leaders, visited Ukraine and called for a ceasefire.

The leaders had discussed the plan with US President Donald Trump and threatened Russia with "massive" sanctions.

The...