Vladimir Putin is “too scared” to meet Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey for ceasefire talks on Thursday, the Ukrainian President has claimed.

Mr Zelensky issued taunt amid reports that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will be sent in the Russian leader’s stead, saying: “If he takes the step to say he is ready for a ceasefire then it opens the way to discussing all the elements to end the war.”

“I’m not even mentioning that he is scared of direct talks with me.”

In a clip uploaded to X, Mr Zelensky said his team was now “actively preparing a visit to Turkey.

He added: "Putin is the one who determines everything in Russia, so he is the one who has to resolve the war. This is his war. Therefore, the negotiations should be with him."