Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is prepared to meet Vladimir Putin this week, shortly after US President Donald Trump urged him to “immediately” accept the Russian leader’s offer to hold peace talks in Turkey.

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.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy comments mark the latest move in a weekend-long exchange of proposals from both sides on the next steps in the U.S.-led peace effort.

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.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that sanctions will be imposed on Russia in the coming days if it does not comply with the ceasefire, La Repubblica informs. "We want to impose sanctions against Russia in the coming days,

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

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

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.