Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy clash over the legitimacy of peace negotiations. Putin argues Ukraine can legally pursue talks, but accuses Zelenskiy of illegitimacy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that the rigours of nearly three years of war did not allow for changes in mobilisation rules because if soldiers left for home en masse, Russian President Vladimir Putin "will kill us all".

Putin told Russian state television that negotiations with Ukraine were complicated by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's "illegitimacy" in remaining in power beyond his mandate with no authority to sign documents.

U.S. President Donald Trump could fulfil his promise to end the war in Ukraine, but only if he includes Kyiv in any talks, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday.Zelenskiy also said the terms of any deal that might arise under Trump were still unclear - and might not even be clear to Trump himself - because Russian President Vladimir Putin had no interest in ending the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that talks with Ukraine were possible but not with its President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he deemed "illegitimate".

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday hailed the opportunity to achieve a just peace in Ukraine, which is battling an almost three-year-old Russian invasion, as he congratulated the U.S. leader Donald Trump on his inauguration.

Ukrainian President issues demand to US President after Vladimir Putin states Moscow is ‘ready for negotiations’