Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday welcomed Russia’s offer for direct peace talks, but insisted there must be a full, temporary ceasefire in place before negotiations can start.

Ukraine and Russia could hold their first direct talks for three years to end the war this week after Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that he would meet Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday. However, Ukraine’s president said he awaited a full ceasefire starting today to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy.