Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday said he was prepared to negotiate with Russia "in any format" once a ceasefire takes hold while the Financial Times reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to halt Moscow's invasion at the current frontlines.

An unusual public back-and-forth suggested that both sides in the war were eager to at least appear interested in negotiations.

Moscow launched strikes across Ukrainian cities hours after Putin said he was considering a pause on civilian targets.