Russian dictator Vladimir Putin must respond to the ceasefire proposal in Ukraine by the end of the day, The Guardian reports. According to German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius, "the clock is ticking" for Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will only attend talks on Ukraine this week if Russia's Vladimir Putin is also there, an aide to the Ukrainian leader said on Tuesday, challenging the Kremlin to show it is genuine about seeking peace.

Vladimir Putin has until midnight to agree to a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine or leading European states, including the UK, will impose new sanctions against Russia, the German government's spokesman has said.

Vladimir Putin's 25-year vice-like grip on Russia ends if he accedes to peace talks with Ukraine, experts say. The despot faces mutiny on all fronts at home - notably his army and the rise of "armed" opposition - with acceding to a ceasefire seen as a show of ultimate weakness.

During possible negotiations in Istanbul, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to talk only with the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, according to the head of the President’s Office, Mykhailo Podolyak.

Ukraine said Tuesday that if Vladimir Putin skips talks in Turkey it would be a "clear sign" to the world the Russian leader is not serious about peace, and the West should reply with boosted military support to Kyiv.

President Vladimir Putin said, according to a translation by the BBC: "We are determined to have serious negotiations with Ukraine. The purpose is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and establish long-term, lasting peace with a historical perspective.

There was no negotiation process with Ukraine, with the Kremlin only saying that Kyiv "should follow" its lead.

Russia did not support the idea of a ceasefire today, May 12, but Russian dictator Vladimir Putin proposed negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed. Read more about what happened over the weekend.

Kyiv has backed a U.S. proposal made in April for a 30-day ceasefire, which has been rejected by Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Moscow has hit back at Europe's 30-day ceasefire ultimatum as “unacceptable” and “unsuitable” following Western threats of sanctions.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it was wrong to “use such language with Russia” as Europe’s deadline for Russia to agree to a truce with Ukraine got closer.