Last-ditch Putin peace talks a ‘welcome sign’ Ukraine conflict can be prevented

The White House said US President Joe Biden has “accepted in principle” a meeting with Mr Putin as long as Russia holds off on any invasion plans.

France said Russian president Vladimir Putin had agreed to work for a ceasefire in a disputed part of eastern Ukraine where fighting has escalated (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Vladimir Putin must “step back from his current threats” as part of any solution to the Ukraine crisis, Boris Johnson has said, following suggestions the Russian leader is open to last-ditch peace talks.

The UK Prime Minister said it is a “welcome sign” that a phone call between French leader Emmanuel Macron and the Russian president had shown Mr Putin may be “willing to engage in finding a diplomatic solution”.