We believe that if more pressure is applied to Russia, we'll be able to make our positions closer," Zelensky told reporters on a visit to South Africa, adding he was "very hopeful". When asked if he would be willing to make any concessions, he said the fact that Ukraine is prepared to negotiate with Russia is a "huge compromise" and a "ceasefire must be the first step." Zelensky cut short his South Africa visit after eight people were killed and dozens injured in a Russian overnight attack on Kyiv.

"If Russia says it is ready to cease fire, it must stop massive strikes against Ukraine. It is Ukrainians who are running out of patience, because it is us who are under attack, and no one else," he added. Zelensky's comments came after US President Donald Trump on Wednesday had accused the Ukrainian leader of harming peace negotiations, after Zelensky said Kyiv would not recognise Russian control of Crimea. Ukraine has long said it will not give up Crimea, a southern peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.Trump claimed a deal to end the war was "very close", but that Zelensky's refusal to accept US terms "will do nothing but prolong" the conflict. Earlier, US Vice-President JD Vance laid out the US vision for a deal, saying it would "freeze the territorial lines  close to where they are today".

He said the deal would mean Ukraine and Russia "are both going to have to give up some of the territory they currently own" - without specifying what geographic concessions would have to be made. When asked by reporters at the White House about whether the administration was looking to recognise Russia's sovereignty over Crimea, Trump said he just wanted to see the war end. Recognising Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea would not only be politically impossible for Zelensky to accept, it would also be contrary to post-war international legal norms that borders should not be changed by force. Zelensky said a meeting about ending the conflict between Ukrainian, US, UK and European officials in London on Wednesday was "difficult but constructive, and it resulted not in differences but a desire to continue working nonetheless". (BBC)