Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that 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 Tuesday that his country could hold peace talks with Ukraine, but ruled out speaking directly with President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he called "illegitimate".

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.

Talks with Ukraine were possible but not with its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said Tuesday, also suggesting the

Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not have the authority to sign documents following potential negotiations with Moscow, the Kremlin leader stated this in an interview with Russian propagandist Pavel Zarubin.