France, May 11 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed direct talks with Kyiv on 15 May, hours after European leaders threatened strong sanctions if Russia refused to agree to a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine. Kyiv described the proposal as a positive sign but French PresidentEmmanuel Macronsaid it wasn't enough.

Vladimir Putin called Sunday for "direct talks" with Ukraine on 15 May in Istanbul.

It came a day after leaders from France, Germany, the UK and Poland met in Kyiv and warned Russia it would face "new and massive" sanctions if Moscow did not agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv is ready to meet Putin for ceasefire talks, calling it "a positive sign that the Russia...