President Vladimir Putin said, according to a translation by the BBC: "We are determined to have serious negotiations with Ukraine. The purpose is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and establish long-term, lasting peace with a historical perspective.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will only attend talks on Ukraine this week if Russia's Vladimir Putin is also there, an aide to the Ukrainian leader said on Tuesday, challenging the Kremlin to show it is genuine about seeking peace.

During possible negotiations in Istanbul, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to talk only with the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, according to the head of the President’s Office, Mykhailo Podolyak.