Putin’s refusal to compromise on Ukraine, say analysts, is a colossal error costing Russia regional influence, lucrative energy markets and its place in the world.

A face-to-face meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders is needed "to truly ensure a lasting peace," Zelensky said late on Saturday.

Peskov also addressed recent comments by US President Donald Trump, noting that the world has grown accustomed to his sometimes “harsh” rhetoric.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he wants a meeting with Russia next week to push forward ceasefire talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his country had proposed holding a meeting with Russia next week, more than a month after the previous round of direct talks, while the Kremlin hedged on a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump.

President Vladimir Putin believes Russia's economy and its military are strong enough to weather any additional Western measures, sources said.

US President Donald Trump’s 50-day pause ahead of possible secondary sanctions on Russia gifts the Kremlin a window to exploit the incremental gains of recent weeks in Ukraine’s east.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sacrificed an estimated 1 million of his soldiers, killed and wounded, in a three-year campaign to crush Ukraine.

The chances of an end to hostilities in Ukraine are low, and the death of Russian President Vladimir Putin would not change this, a German military academic has told the Sunday edition of Vienna's Kurier newspaper.