Russian officials have already been preparing for Putin to reject the meeting, with Moscow claiming a sit-down with Zelensky would only amount to “pure spectacle.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky challenged Russia's President Vladimir Putin to meet him personally, the latest move over potential peace talks and a ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is prepared to meet Vladimir Putin this week, shortly after US President Donald Trump urged him to “immediately” accept the Russian leader’s offer to hold peace talks in Turkey.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet in Istanbul for direct peace talks, following Donald Trump's call for immediate negotiations. Zelensky’s offer comes amid growing pressure from Western leaders for a 30-day ceasefire to end the ongoing war.

Ukrainian President Zelensky invites Putin to peace talks in Turkey, urging an end to the ongoing conflict. Will Putin accept the challenge?- Watch Video on English Oneindia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says ... President Vladimir Putin will personally attend. Nor is it clear whether President Donald Trump will join the negotiations. Ahead of his trip ...

A Russian drone struck a passenger bus in eastern Ukraine killing nine people and injuring four others, officials said. The attack came just hours after Moscow and Kyiv held their first peace talks in more than three years, which failed to result in a ceasefire.