Zelensky's comments come after Putin agreed fighting must end but any plan must remove the "underlying causes of this crisis".

U.S. officials were in Moscow for talks, and the Russian leader said he was open to a cease-fire, but President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine expressed skepticism.

The Ukrainian President alleged that Putin was “afraid” to tell US President Donald Trump that he wanted to continue the war and “keep killing Ukrainians.”