Moscow, May 10 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (local time) expressed openness to meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in order to achieve a complete solution to end the ongoing war in a third country for the first time, signalling a potential shift in the long-stalled engagement between the two nations.

Speaking to the media after the Victory Day Parade on Tuesday, Putin said he never refused to meet his Ukrainian counterpart for talks, but noted that the meeting in a "third country" can only be possible if a comprehensive, long-term peace agreement is reached, and it would only be for signing the agreement.

"I just heard once more that the Ukrainian side and Mr Zelenskyy are ready to have a personal meeting....