Putin mocks the West's 'moron' leaders for hitting Russia with sanctions and 'tipping their own countries into recession'
Speaking at a meeting of Russia 's top businessmen at the 20th Congress of the 'Business Russia' organisation, Putin said of Western countries: 'You'd think they wouldn't do this or that, since it clearly hurts them - but nope, they still do it.
Then, in what appeared to be a rare moment of emotion from the Russian leader, he exclaimed: 'Morons!'
The surprising declaration was met with laughter from the captive audience as Putin went on to apologise: 'Oh, I am sorry…
'But, look, it's like this - the world's top economies are tipping into recession just to spite us.'
Western leaders have lined up to warn the Russian President that his country will face yet more sanctions if he fails to engage in peace talks in Turkey.
So far, there is no sign Putin will attend - despite Donald Trump indicating he could fly in to meet his Russian counterpart.
The White House is also dispatching special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg to participate in the talks.
Ukraine's President has said he will only negotiate directly with Putin after weeks of talks between Ukrainian and US delegations yielded no progress.
Zelensky today told reporters in Kyiv he will be ready and waiting alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday to receive Putin.
If Putin chooses Istanbul to hold the meeting, then both leaders will travel there from Ankara.
Zelensky declared he would 'do everything to agree on a ceasefire, because it is with (Putin) that I must negotiate a ceasefire, as only he can decide on it.
'If Putin does not arrive and plays games, it is the final point that he does not want to end the war,' Zelensky said, adding that he would expect allies to unveil 'the strongest sanctions package' against Russia should talks not progress on Thursday.
'I am ready for the meeting. I met this person in 2019, in December. I absolutely understand what to talk about - the truth is on our side.'
Despite earlier vowing never to negotiate with Putin, he said: 'I think we need to take the first step, for the sake of the people.
'And the whole world is already supporting this, first of all, for the sake of the Ukrainians. Everyone wants the war to end.
'We want to agree on the beginning of the end of the war. At least the beginning.'
European leaders have thrown their support behind Zelensky ahead of direct peace talks.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said: 'We are waiting for Putin's agreement [to negotiations and a ceasefire] and we agree that if there is no real progress this week, we want to work together at the European level to significantly strengthen the sanctions.'
Turkey - the only NATO member state that is not on Russia's list of 'unfriendly countries' is seen as a relatively neutral third party suitable for hosting talks between the warring nations.
Putin is said to have a good personal relationship with Turkey's Erdogan, himself an autocrat who has long been in power, and Turkey's energy sector is heavily reliant on the provision of Russian gas and nuclear technology.
But Turkey has by no means backed Russia in its war on Ukraine. Ankara has said it does not recognise Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territory and has supported Kyiv's bid for NATO membership.
Turkey has also sold a host of military technology, including the highly effective Bayraktar TB2 attack drone, to Kyiv.
Both Moscow and Kyiv have sought to show they are working towards peace after Trump prioritised ending the war, which has raged since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but have yet to agree any clear path.
Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine, hosted and mediated by Turkey, after ignoring a Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Trump publicly told Zelensky to accept the proposal.
The Ukrainian President quickly obliged and challenged Putin to enter direct, face-to-face talks.
The Kremlin chief had never made clear that he intended to travel himself but Zelensky has now called his bluff.
Asked who would represent Russia at the talks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: 'As soon as the president sees fit, we will announce it.'
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying Moscow was ready for serious talks on Ukraine but doubted Kyiv's capacity for negotiations.
The agencies quoted him as saying realities 'on the ground' should be recognised, including the incorporation of what Moscow calls 'new territories' into Russia - a reference to territory in Ukraine that is occupied by Russian forces.
US officials want Russia a comprehensive 30-day land, air, sea and critical infrastructure ceasefire, a senior official in Washington said.
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