Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested restarting direct talks with Ukraine.
In comments to reporters early on Sunday, Putin said that the talks should aim to achieve a durable peace and eliminate the root causes of the war.
"We offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday [May 15] in Istanbul," Putin said.
"Those who really want peace can't be against [the proposal]," he said.
The Russian president added that he would speak with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
It's not the first time that Putin has tied a ceasefire to the condition of removing the root causes of the war he launched.
Putin typically lists several long-standing complaints he has with Ukraine and the West as justification for invading Ukraine in early 2022.
His demands usually include a stop to NATO's expansion and Ukraine's permanent exclusion from the defense alliance, the removal of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from office and returning Ukraine to Russia's sphere of influence.
In his comments, Putin did not directly address a request by Ukraine and four of its main Western allies for a 30-day ceasefire without preconditions.
The leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Poland threatened on Saturday to increase sanctions on Russia if it doesn't accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
