Russian President Vladimir Putin called for "direct negotiations" with Ukraine, saying they should "start delays as early as May 15."

"We seek serious negotiations … to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and start moving towards lasting peace," he said in a rare late-night speech on the Kremlin on Saturday.

Russia urged Russia to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire after European leaders, including British Prime Minister Sir Kyle Stamer and French President Emmanuel Macron, visited Ukraine for a few hours.

In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said Moscow would “have to consider this” – but warned that “it is useless to try to put pressure on us”.

Putin said in a statement that he "does not rule out" during the negotiations - what he proposed should be held in the Turkish capital Istanbul - that Russia and Ukraine may "be able to agree to a new ceasefire, which is a new truce."

The Russian leader said he will talk to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday to discuss details.

Kyiv has not commented on Putin's proposal.

Earlier Saturday, European leaders traveled to the Ukrainian capital and called on Moscow to agree to a month-long ceasefire with Ukraine, starting on Monday.

The call was held with leaders from France, Germany, Britain and Poland at a meeting of the so-called "Willing Alliance" meeting, standing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

They announced the announcement after discussing the plan with U.S. President Donald Trump over the phone, who initially helped with an unconditional ceasefire. If not comply, leaders threaten Russia with “massive” sanctions.

In response, the Kremlin said it was considering the proposal but would not respond to the pressure.

After the meeting, Sir Kyle said: "We all join the United States here to call (Russian President Vladimir) Putin out. If he is serious about peace, then he has a chance to show it."

"Thank you all for being with us. Today, we will focus on how to build and ensure true and lasting security."

A few hours later, Putin issued his own statement, video showing reporters gathering in the halls inside the Kremlin.

"This will be the first step towards a long-term, lasting peace, not the prelude to more armed hostilities after the Ukrainian armed forces acquire new arms and personnel, after the craziest war trench trenches and the establishment of new command posts," he said.

"Who needs such peace?"

Putin also accused Ukraine of repeatedly failing to respond to three ceasefire proposals in Moscow, three ceasefire proposals in Moscow, a 30-day cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure, Easter armistice and a ceasefire last month that coincided with last month’s last month’s commemorations of World War II last week.

Ukraine has previously stated that during these periods, Russian attacks continued. Russia has made similar claims about Ukraine.

"Nevertheless, we are still providing the Kiev authorities with resumption negotiations … to resume direct negotiations, and I stress that there is no premise," Putin said on Saturday night.

The last direct negotiation between Moscow and Kiev happened shortly after the full-scale invasion of Russia three years ago.