Putin's proposed talks 'a first step, but not enough,' Macron says

Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for direct peace talks with Ukraine is "a first step, but not enough," French President Emmanuel Macron said on May 11.

Putin earlier extended an invitation to hold direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, saying "Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions."

"An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations," Macron told reporters at the Polish-Ukrainian border, according to Agence France Presse (AFP).

Putin is "looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time," he said.