The leaders of France and Germany have urged Russia's Vladimir Putin to hold "direct [and] serious negotiations" with Ukraine's president, the German chancellor's office said.

Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz spoke to Mr Putin by phone for 80 minutes.

The pair "insisted on an immediate ceasefire and a withdrawal of Russian troops", the chancellor's office said.

Russia's leader said Moscow was open to resuming dialogue with Kyiv, according to the Kremlin.

It did not mention the possibility of direct talks between Mr Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Ukrainian president earlier said he was not "eager" for talks, but added they would likely be necessary to end the conflict.