Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Vladimir Putin of being “afraid” after Putin refused to engage in peace talks and questioned his legitimacy.

Putin afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and does everything possible to prolong war, says Ukrainian president

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that if a ceasefire deal were enacted with Russia, "at least 200,000 European peacekeepers" would need to be on the ground in Ukraine to defend the Eastern European country against a possible attack by Russia.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends an event to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi German Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp in Brzezinka, Poland,

In an interview with Russian state television, Vladimir Putin declared his willingness to negotiate peace with Ukraine. However, the Russian head of state rejected direct talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyi.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Vladimir Putin of being “afraid” to engage in peace talks after his Russian counterpart claimed Kyiv’s government was illegitimate and not worthy to negotiate with.