French President Emmanuel Macron commented on the proposal of Russian President Vladimir Putin to start direct talks with Ukraine, AFP reported.
Macron called the talks between Russia and Ukraine a "first but insufficient step" to resolve the conflict. According to the French leader, Putin is allegedly looking for a way out, but still wants to buy time.
“An unconditional ceasefire should not be preceded by negotiations“, the French leader said.
Early this morning, Putin proposed to Ukraine to resume direct talks on May 15 in Istanbul. He stressed that it was about dialogue without preconditions. The Russian leader added that the parties could meet where negotiations "were held earlier and where they were interrupted."