Ukraine’s president says the only Russian official he will meet is Vladimir Putin - and the only topic he will discuss is ending the war.

Speaking to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that arranging any sort of talks with Russia was becoming more difficult in the light of what he said was evidence of Russian actions against civilians under occupation.

He also noted that taking back Crimea would “cost hundreds of thousands of casualties”.

While battles continue in the east of the country, Zelensky added that Ukrainian forces are being “quite successful” in the northeastern city of Kharkiv.

He continued: “We need to create a global structure that can provide sufficient support within 24 hours for any country that has suffered a military attack, natural disaster or pandemic”.