Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but all issues must be worked through first and there's a question about Zelensky's authority to sign a peace deal, Putin's foreign minister said on Thursday. Asked by reporters if Putin was willing to meet Zelensky, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: "Our president has repeatedly said that he is ready to meet, including with Mr. Zelensky". Kyiv says Zelensky remains the legitimate president. Zelensky said this week Kyiv would like a "strong reaction" from Washington if Putin were not willing to sit down for a bilateral meeting with him. Lavrov said it was clear that neither Ukraine nor European leaders wanted peace.

Source: bd News24 August 21, 2025 12:43 UTC