Putin said efforts to end the war were "generally on the right track" and that Moscow was ready to work with Ukraine on a potential peace deal.

At least eight people were injured after Russia attacked Ukraine's capital Kyiv early today with drones and missiles, triggering fires and strewing debris in districts throughout the city, the city's mayor said.

The first direct Ukraine-Russia talks did not deliver a ceasefire but it did result in the largest prisoner swap of the war. CHERNIHIV REGION, Ukraine — For hours Friday, a crowd of hopefuls stood on the roadside wrapped in blue-and-yellow flags and clutching photos of captured Ukrainian soldiers — their eyes peeled for any sign of buses.

The fact that Russia has been drafting a so-called "memorandum" on a ceasefire for a week is a mockery of the entire world, said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Source: Zelenskyy's address Quote: "A ceasefire is needed.