India, Aug. 27 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday said that Turkey, Gulf States, or European countries could serve as hosts for any direct talks he may hold with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky has been pushing for direct negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine, though Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has said that no agenda has yet been prepared for such a meeting.

"Now, this week there will be contacts with Turkey, contacts with the Gulf States and with European states which could host talks with the Russians," Reuters quoted Zelensky as saying in his video address.

"From our side, things will be prepared to the maximum in order to end the war," he added.

Zelensky's remarks came as his chief of...