Vladimir Putin demands annexations recognised before talks with US president Joe Biden - BBC News

US President Joe Biden has said he would be ready to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin "if in fact there is an interest in him deciding that he's looking for a way to end the war".

Addressing reporters alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, he stressed Mr Putin had not yet done that and the two leaders said they would continue to stand against Russia's war.

In response, the Kremlin said President Putin remained open to talks, but not on the West's demand to pull out of Ukraine. It added the West's refusal to recognise "new territories" seized from Ukraine makes peace talks harder.