The European Union expects that the Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin will be ready to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday 15 May, and is also prepared to impose additional sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire is not achieved.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As cornered Russian despot Vladimir Putin refuses to bow to demands for a ceasefire before peace talks with Ukraine, his stalling tactics are exposed.

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.

The EU is preparing new large-scale sanctions against Russia, targeting its oil and financial systems. Their implementation will depend on the results of potential negotiations in Türkiye and the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin,