Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that US President Donald Trump had asked Russia to make some compromises for a Ukraine peace deal, and Russia was ready to do so provided Ukraine did the same.
Putin told reporters in St Petersburg on Thursday that Russia had all the resources to achieve its military goals and its troops were advancing in Ukraine, but it was prepared to make a deal with Ukraine peacefully.
"We are absolutely ready and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine through peaceful means," he added.
He also said that Russia must strengthen its air defences, a day after Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal and naval base in Saint Petersburg, where a key economic forum is taking place.
"Russia has an air defence system. Yes, we must improve it. Yes, we must strengthen it. And we will do so," the Russian leader said.
Putin added that Russia was considering expanding the use of its hypersonic Oreshnik missile against cities in Ukraine, saying the weapon had not yet been used in the "full sense of the word".
Putin has repeatedly said that the missile, which travels 10 times the speed of sound, is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Russia continues to advance
When asked about whether Russia's offensive against Ukraine had become a "strategic disaster", Putin said that Russia was "advancing along the entire line of contact".
He also claimed that Russia has full control of the entire territory of Ukraine's Luhansk region, and is in control of more than 85 percent of the Donetsk region, and about 80 percent of the Zaporizhzhia region.
Putin added that Ukrainian forces controlled 25 percent of the Donetsk region some time ago, but that figure has fallen to less than 15 percent.
"Just recently, I won't name the number of populated areas now, as I'm afraid of making a mistake - the Russian army has brought approximately 2,440 square kilometres (942 square miles) under its control. The offensive is taking place every day," he said.
He said Russian forces continue to advance and indicated that the situation on the battlefield is developing in Moscow's favour.
Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian drone attacks are causing damage inside Russia but said Kiev lacks the types of weapons available to Moscow.
He also argued that Russia possesses its own industrial base, resources, personnel and technological expertise for weapons production, while Ukraine remains dependent on military assistance from Western countries.
