Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he is ready to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow, but stressed that his country will continue military operations in Ukraine unless a peace agreement is reached.

Putin confirmed that Russian forces are making progress along the front line in Ukraine.

Putin’s statements come amid ongoing field escalation and increasing international pressure to push for a political settlement to end the conflict.

On Tuesday, Zelensky said that Russia is engaged in new military reinforcements in certain sectors of the frontline and continues to strike targets in Ukraine.

Zelensky stated in a video address: “We are currently witnessing a new buildup of Russian forces in certain sectors of the front. He refuses to be forced into peace,” referring to Putin.

Russian President’s aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that there was no agreement between Putin and Trump regarding a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents or a trilateral meeting.

Earlier, the White House confirmed that the Russian president agreed to hold a meeting with Zelensky.

US President Donald Trump also confirmed that he spoke with Putin during the summit he held with Zelensky and European leaders at the White House, and they agreed to start arrangements for a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents.

However, Trump later backtracked and said on Friday that a meeting between the two sides “seems unlikely.”