The new package of EU sanctions comes one day before a direct round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey. View on euronews

Meloni held a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during which both leaders discussed diplomatic prospects and reaffirmed their commitment to a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.

The EU is preparing new sanctions on Russia despite a potential meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, three sources told CNBC.

Volodymyr Zelensky has challenged Vladimir Putin to meet him in Istanbul, Turkey, this week in a bid to bring the conflict in Ukraine to an end - though it is not clear if the Russian leader will atte

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is prepared to meet Vladimir Putin this week, shortly after US President Donald Trump urged him to “immediately” accept the Russian leader’s offer to hold peace talks in Turkey.

Iran is preparing for a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iran's government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani was quoted by Russia's state RIA news agency as saying on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy comments mark the latest move in a weekend-long exchange of proposals from both sides on the next steps in the U.S.-led peace effort.

American and European diplomats held a series of phone talks for several hours after US President Donald Trump proposed joining the possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, Reuters reports. Trump's unexpected proposal to join the talks in Istanbul on May 15 came the day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,