The president’s comments came after he said Crimea “will stay with Russia,” a position backed by the mayor of Kyiv, who conceded that his country may have to give up territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, set to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory Day — marking the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany.

Moscow and Kyiv have not held direct negotiations since March 2022, soon after the start of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine.