Zelenski: I have received signals that Putin wants direct talks
He said that he had received information from Western partners about the Russian president's desire to start direct negotiations with Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy while speaking to Ukrainian media said:
I have received signals ... that Putin wants direct talks. I have received such signals. I have offered a public form, because Russia is waging a public war.
The President also confirmed a meeting with CIA Director William Burns in Kiev:
Burns was in the capital at the time of the massive Russian missile strike on Ukrainian territory and was in hiding.
Also during a press conference for Ukrainian media, Zelensky confirmed that the number of military personnel on the territory of Belarus had increased.
Volodymyr Zelenski stated:
Yes, the increase in the number of military has been seen there by people, journalists and our intelligence. We believe that there is no point in the Belarusians' offensive on the territory of our state today.
The president added that there are currently no contacts at the level of defence agencies between Kiev and Minsk.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff earlier said that the threat of a renewed Russian offensive against Ukraine on the northern front was growing, but the aggressor's target would not be Kiev.