MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul that he said should be aimed at achieving a durable peace and eliminating the root causes of the war. Zelenskyy said he would meet Putin face to face.

Moscow attacked Ukraine with more than 100 drones overnight – just hours after president Volodymyr Zelensky challenged Russian president Vladimir Putin to meet “personally” for peace talks this week.Ukraine’s Air Force said air defences downed at least 55 out of total 108 drones launched by Russia overnight.