Zelensky: I am ready to hold negotiations with Putin

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he is ready to hold negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but stresses "a hint of a comprehensive ceasefire" in order to negotiate with Russia.

Earlier, Russian Presidential Spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, announced that it was still early to talk about a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

Russian-Ukrainian negotiations began in Belarus yesterday after the Ukrainian delegation arrived in Gomel. President Zelensky declared that the first round of negotiations with Russia did not achieve the "desired results" Ukraine wanted. 

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko revealed earlier that he does not rule out the possibility of holding a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine if progress is made in the negotiations.

A CNN reporter, quoting a US official, revealed that the United States is in regular contact with President Zelensky via a secure satellite phone that the United States provided him with last month, explaining that the phone allows President Zelensky to remain in contact with the United States.

Biden in call with Zelensky

The White House said on Tuesday that US President Joe Biden spoke by phone with Volodymyr Zelensky and underscored the importance of continued US security and economic assistance in the face of Russia.

"President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine to discuss the United States’ continued backing for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression. President Biden underscored the United States’ sustained help for Ukraine, including ongoing deliveries of security assistance, economic support, and humanitarian aid," the White House said in a press release.