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".

Ukraine's fighting forces are still badly outnumbered by their Russian adversaries. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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

Kharkiv Oblast governor denies Russian claims of capturing Dvorichna Italian parliament extends military support for Ukraine through 2025 SBU says it dismantled Russian spy network targeting F-16 jets Government dismisses Deputy Defense Minister Klimenkov amid procurement tensions Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "illegitimate" and said that he has no right to sign any documents in potential peace negotiations,

MOSCOW - Ukraine could find a legal way to hold peace talks with Russia on ending their nearly three-year-old war, but Moscow sees no willingness on Kyiv's part to engage, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

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,