Ukraine's Zelenskiy calls on Russia to confirm ceasefire before talks

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives for meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 10, 2025. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Russia on Sunday to confirm an unconditional ceasefire beginning on May 12, saying Ukraine would then be ready to meet for direct talks with Russia.

On Saturday, Zelenskiy received the backing of Europe's major powers and U.S. President Donald Trump for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire beginning on Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded early on Sunday with a proposal for direct talks with Kyiv starting on Thursday in Turkey.