Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that Vladimir Putin was "afraid" of negotiations on ending the Ukraine war, after the Russian president ruled out direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that his country could hold peace talks with Ukraine, but ruled out speaking directly with President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he called “illegitimate”. The Ukrainian leader responded by saying that Putin was “afraid” of negotiations and was using “cynical tricks” to prolong the nearly three-year conflict.

KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan 25 that allies should work towards determining a format for any upcoming peace talks with Russia and that Kyiv must be involved for successful negotiations.

Ukrainian President issues demand to US President after Vladimir Putin states Moscow is ‘ready for negotiations’

Putin told Russian state television that negotiations with Ukraine were complicated by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's "illegitimacy" in remaining in power beyond his mandate with no authority to sign documents.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin fears strong leaders and meaningful negotiations. The Kremlin chief’s reluctance to engage in peace talks, he said,

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that talks with Ukraine were possible but not with its President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he deemed "illegitimate".