Putin invites Zelensky to peace talks in Moscow: 'Light at end of tunnel!'

Vladimir Putin said he is ready to receive Volodymyr Zelensky for peace talks in Moscow, adding "there is a certain light at the end of the tunnel". The Russian president said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday (September 3) that if common sense prevailed it was possible to agree an "acceptable option" for ending the conflict.

Putin said: "It seems to me that there is a certain light at the end of the tunnel. Let's see how the situation develops. If not, then we will have to achieve our goal by military means." Russia's leader said he was ready to receive Mr Zelensky for talks in Moscow, but on condition the meeting was "well prepared".

The remarks came after Russia fired more than 500 drones and two dozen missiles at Ukraine overnight, authorities said on Wednesday.

Ukraine's president and European leaders have been in talks aimed at boosting Ukrainian defences and reinvigorate so far unsuccessful US-led peace efforts.

Mr Zelensky had not responded publicly to Putin's remarks at the time of writing. He did say earlier that the overnight attacks were "demonstrative".

He wrote on the Telegram messaging app: "Putin is demonstrating his impunity. Only due to the lack of sufficient pressure, primarily on the war economy, does Russia continue this aggression."

In his daily video address on Tuesday evening, Mr Zelensky said the number of Russian drone attacks was growing, including in broad daylight. He reported another build-up of Russian forces in some sectors of the front.

Ukraine's leader said that betrayed "an open disregard by Russia for everything the world is doing to stop this war".

Putin was in China to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Pyongyang has sent troops and ammunition to Russia, while China and India have bought Russian oil, helping its war economy.

US President Donald Trump Trump today suggested he will soon have an answer as to whether Putin and Mr Zelensky will hold talks.

He said: "I'm having a conversation with him (Mr Zelensky) very shortly and I'll know pretty much what we're going to be doing."

The president repeated that he thought bringing an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict would be "much easier" than it has proven to be.

He said the bloodshed in eastern Europe has to end and expressed confidence that he will be able to bring the conflict to a close.

Mr Trump said: "Not since the Second World War has there been anything even close to this." He added: "They're not soldiers from my country. This is my country. But I have a power to end things."