Volodymyr Zelensky asked President Trump to join potential peace talks in Turkey this week as the Ukrainian president continues his campaign to ratchet up pressure on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to agree to a cease-fire.

The head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, expects that in the near future the text of the law on ratification of the agreement with the United States on minerals will be sent from the Verkhovna Rada to the office of the President of Ukraine.

Putin had earlier called for "direct talks" with Ukraine on 15 May in Istanbul, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv is "ready to meet" and expects Moscow to "confirm a ceasefire – full, lasting, and reliable", starting on 12 May.