Vladimir Putin 'ready to meet Zelensky' in major Ukraine-Russia ceasefire breakthrough

Russian President Vladimir Putin is "ready" to meet with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, his foreign minister has said. Kremlin Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters his boss Putin had "repeatedly" said he was ready to meet Zelensky, despite the fact the Russian leader had failed to show up at previously arranged meetings.

Speaking to journalists in India, Lavrov said: "Our president has repeatedly said that he is ready to meet, including with Mr. Zelensky, with the understanding that all issues that require consideration at the highest level will be well-developed, and experts and ministers will prepare the relevant recommendations."

His comments follow his bizarre statement on Wednesday that Moscow should also be involved with any security guarantees, alongside the US Europe, for Ukraine, even though it is the country which launched the invasion. The foreign minister, who is well known for bending the truth with his statements, also claimed Russia never intended to seize Ukrainian territory and was only protecting Russian people.

In a jab towards Ukrainian President Zelenksy, Lavrov highlighted how the president had said he was unable to cede territory because he was not able to by the terms of Ukraine's constitution.

Lavrov sneered: "And, of course, with the understanding that when and if - I hope when - it comes to signing future agreements, the issue of the legitimacy of the person who signs these agreements on the Ukrainian side will be resolved."

His comments come as a ceasefire is still yet to emerge despite talks at the highest level between Putin and President Donald Trump in Alaska on Friday and a whirlwind series of meetings with President Zelenky, Trump, Sir Keir Starmer and other European leaders, at the White House on Monday.

Russia has continued attacks on Ukraine overnight using drones and missiles to hit civilian infrastructure. Moscow launched one of its biggest aerial attacks of the year so far, firing 574 drones and 40 ballistic and cruise missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

Expressing his anger at the carnage on X, President Zelenksy wrote: "In total, overnight, 574 strike drones and 40 missiles were launched against Ukraine. A significant portion was intercepted, but unfortunately, not all.

"And the Russians carried out this attack as if nothing has changed at all, as if there are no global efforts to stop this war.

"This requires a response. There is still no signal from Moscow that they truly intend to engage in substantive negotiations and end this war. Pressure is needed. Strong sanctions, strong tariffs. I thank everyone who is helping."