Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country’s allies should work towards determining a format for any upcoming peace talks with Russia and that Kyiv must be involved for successful negotiations.

His comments are the latest to pile speculation over the possibility of talks to end the brutal conflict that has cost tens of thousands of lives after almost three years of fighting.

“I understand that contacts can be in different formats,” Zelensky said, referring to possible negotiations that would lead to “a just peace”.

“I think we should focus on this today,” he said.