Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is willing to meet Vladimir Putin to find out “what the Russian president wants” and seek a “peaceful settlement”, amid growing concern over a possible imminent invasion.

Later on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to have a call with Putin.

Violence in eastern Ukraine has spiked in recent days. Fighting has broken out sporadically for years along the line separating Ukrainian forces from Russia-backed rebels, but the recent shelling and bombing spike could set off a full-scale war.

Besides, Zelenskyy has called on Putin to meet him and seek resolution to the crisis.

“I don’t know what the president of the Russian Federation wants, so I am proposing a meeting,” Zelenskyy said at the Munich Security Conference, where he also met with US Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday.

“Ukraine will continue to follow only the diplomatic path for the sake of a peaceful settlement.”

Putin oversees nuclear drills
Russia’s strategic nuclear forces held exercises overseen by Putin on Saturday, successfully test-launched hypersonic and cruise missiles at sea, the Kremlin said.

Putin observed the exercises on screens with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko from a “situation centre”.

Source: Al Jazeera 

BDST: 1325 HRS, FEB 20, 2022
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