Zelenskyy calls for Putin talks as Ukraine celebrates independence

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday a meeting with Vladimir Putin would be "the most effective way forward" amid stalled diplomatic attempts to end the war as he celebrated Ukraine's Independence Day.

After a push by US President Donald Trump to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit, hopes for peace dimmed when Russia on Friday ruled out any immediate Putin-Zelenskyy meeting.

But Zelenskyy said Sunday the "format of talks between leaders is the most effective way forward", renewing calls for a bilateral summit with Putin.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier accused Western countries of seeking "a pretext to block negotiations" and slammed Zelenskyy for "demanding an immediate meeting at all costs".

Zelenskyy vowed to "to push Russia to peace" as he spoke at a ceremony attended by US envoy Keith Kellogg – whom he awarded with the Ukrainian Order of Merit – and other Western officials.

Speaking at the ceremony to marked the anniversary of Ukraine's 1991 independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union, Zelenskyy said: "This is how Ukraine strikes when its calls for peace are ignored."

"Today, both the US and Europe agree: Ukraine has not yet fully won, but it will certainly not lose. Ukraine has secured its independence. Ukraine is not a victim; it is a fighter."

He said the presence of foreign troops in Ukraine once the war ends would be "important" as Kyiv seeks to work on potential security guarantees with its allies.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on a visit to Kyiv said it was not "the choice of Russia how the future sovereignty, independence, liberty of Ukraine is guaranteed".

Zelenskyy thanked other world leaders including Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain's King Charles and Pope Leo for sending messages to mark the occasion.