Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he sees no point in holding a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that the two leaders need to meet in person to discuss concrete steps towards ending the war.

Axar.az reports, citing Ukrainian media, that speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday, Zelensky said a phone call would only lead to another historical lecture from the Russian leader rather than meaningful progress towards peace.

“I do not want to talk on the phone and listen once again to a historical lecture from the Russian leader, rather than discuss real steps on how to end the war. We should not just talk about this; we need to sit down, negotiate and establish where the other side is wrong, because it is the aggressor. If we want to end the war, we must meet and take the first step – a ceasefire,” Zelensky said.

He also described Russia's invitation for him to visit Moscow as destructive, saying a ceasefire could be achieved without a meeting if Moscow were willing.