Russia has called for direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, but Ukraine’s European allies maintain Putin needs to be pressured into a ceasefire first.

Russia is "completely ignoring" a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and European powers that was to have begun on Monday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Russia resumed mass drone attacks in Ukraine early on Sunday, after its self-declared three-day pause expired.

Hamas will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander from Gaza on Monday, the Palestinian militant group said, but Israel's prime minister said there would be no ceasefire and plans for an intensified military campaign would continue.

Israel has not agreed to any ceasefire or release of prisoners with Hamas, but only to a safe corridor to allow the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday.

CAIRO − Hamas will release the Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander held in Gaza as a part of efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement and allow humanitarian aid to enter the besieged enclave, a senior Hamas official told Reuters on May 11.