Dmitry Peskov's statement came after the Russian president's meeting with Trump's envoys - meanwhile, Zelensky is preparing for his own talks with US officials.

Yuri Ushakov said the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff was "very useful," but that no "compromise option has not yet been found."

Dressed head to toe in army fatigues, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday received the news he had been awaiting for more than a year: Russia had taken over the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed without evidence that Russian forces have taken control of Ukrainian cities Pokrovsk and Vovchansk.

Live updates and the latest news as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin discuss the war in Ukraine and Tennessee holds a special congressional election.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a US plan to end the war in Ukraine could “form the basis for future agreements” but renewed threats to seize more territory by force unless Kyiv withdraws.

Russian military commanders told President Vladimir Putin on Sunday evening that the country's forces captured the frontline Ukrainian towns of Pokrovsk and Vovchansk, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

At a high-level military briefing, Vladimir Putin is told by Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov and front commanders that Russian forces have completed the “liberation” of Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) and are tightening encirclements from Kupyansk to Dimitrov while pushing toward Huliaipole and deeper into Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia.