Zelenskyy calls for direct talks with Putin after Russian president says he backs peace negotiations – as it happened

Ukrainian leader says talks should go ahead if Putin's remarks are signals of a genuine willingness to end the war'

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Putin's comments, repeating that Ukraine is ready for talks at the leaders' level at any time."

We have heard the statements coming out of Russia.

If these are signals of a genuine willingness to end the war with dignity and establish a truly lasting peace - and not merely an attempt to buy more time for war or delay sanctions - then Ukraine once again reaffirms its readiness to meet at the level of leaders at any time."

Ukraine proposes to move from exchanges of statements and technical-level meetings to talks between leaders.

The United States has proposed this.