Kuala Lampur, May 11 -- *

Putin proposes direct talks with Ukraine

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Putin proposes talks on May 15 in Istanbul

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Putin says talks to seek durable peace

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Trump embraces Putin's proposal for talks

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European leaders tell Putin: agree to Ukraine ceasefire

(Adds Trump's quotes in paragraphs 8-9, 23-24)

By Marina Bobrova and Lidia Kelly

MOSCOW, May 11 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Turkey that he said should be aimed at bringing a durable peace, an initiative welcomed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, unleashing a war that has left hundreds of thousands of soldiers dead and triggering the gravest co...