Announcing Zelnsky's readiness to meet Putin directly

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman said President Waldimir Zelnski is ready to negotiate directly with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a speech today: “I was ready to meet Putin in Ankara or Istanbul to resolve all the important issues, but he does not agree with anything.

“Ukraine is ready to do anything to end the war, and I urge Putin to give the negotiating a real authority,” Zelksky added.

The Ukrainian president also said after a phone call to his US counterpart Donald Trump: “Ukraine is ready to take quick measures to achieve peace.”

“If Russia opposes the ceasefire, it should be subject to tough sanctions,” Zelnski added. The pressure on Russia must continue to end the war.

The developments came as two Ukrainian and Russian negotiating delegations met in Istanbul on Friday.