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.

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

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