Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Monday, a day ahead of crucial talks between Ukrainian and US officials on ending the war with Russia.

We hope that the leaders will come to an agreement and we will have peace,” said Sergei Kurnosov, the mayor of the town of Rylsk near Russia's front line with Ukraine.

The European Union foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has said that Russian President, Vladimir Putin has no interest in peace. According to her, Russian “relentless” drone and missile attacks meant that Putin had no peace in mind even as talks to possibly end the war are underway.