Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in remarks published on Friday that he saw no objective signs that Ukraine or the West were ready for peace talks despite all their increasingly loud statements about the need for such talks.

KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan 25 said allies should work towards determining a format for any upcoming peace talks with Russia and that Kyiv must be involved for successful negotiations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is "ready for negotiations" with U.S. President Donald Trump about how to end the war in Ukraine.

The ongoing war in Ukraine has raised concerns about how and when peace talks might take place, and who will be involved in shaping the outcome. Also read "I Betrayed My Homeland": North Korean Soldier Leaves Tragic Last Words During a meeting in Kyiv with Moldovan President Maia Sandu,

Putin stated he is open to talks on "Ukraine-related issues," but mentioned there is a "problem." He explained that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an order prohibiting direct talks with the Kremlin.

Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that he has always had good, pragmatic, and trust-based relationships with President Donald Trump. The Russian leader added that he is ready to engage in talks with the United States about ending the war in Ukraine.