Russia’s Vladimir Putin said he’s willing to meet with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky but suggested the democratically elected leader couldn’t legally sign a peace deal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky. In a conversation with foreign journalists, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he wants to speak with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in what he calls the "final phase" in the negotiations between the two parties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to negotiate an end to the war with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, but refused to recognize him as a legitimate head of state to sign a peace deal.