Volodymyr Zelensky

Russia and Putin are "a big problem" for Zelensky, so it's natural that he "would prefer that neither Russia nor Putin existed", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Thursday, RT reported. He was reacting to a claim that Zelensky had made earlier in the day during his virtual appearance at the Ukrainian Breakfast, an event hosted on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, RT reported.

The summit, which is due to be held under the mediation of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, is expected to be held at the UN headquarters in New York, Bodnar was quoted by Ukrinform news agency as saying.

Zelensky switched to speaking Russian in his nightly address to send a message to the Kremlin and Russian citizens, as Moscow launched a series of deadly strikes that swept several regions of Ukraine ahead of New Year, CNN reported. "All this war that you are waging, you - Russia, it is not the war with NATO, as your propagandists lie," Zelensky said.

In his night video address to the nation, the President said on Monday: "Today I held an extended meeting on the results of my visit to the US and the implementation of the agreements. We will not waste time.

Zelensky, who urged the US to help Ukraine in the war, said "the US military aid to Ukraine was not charity, but an investment in security for the future," the BBC reported on Thursday. His appeal comes amid signs US support is likely to face greater scrutiny by Republican lawmakers in Congress.

The weapons package approved by Biden, according to a list from the Pentagon, also included "precision aerial munitions", which it didn't explain in detail regarding the type and quantity, reports Xinhua news agency.

In remarks from the Oval Office, Biden on Wednesday said he was "delighted" to receive Zelensky, who, in turn, offered "all my appreciations from my heart and from the heart of all Ukrainians".

This will be Zelensky's first visit outside Ukraine after the Russian invasion in February, and his second to the US. Earlier on Tuesday, US lawmakers announced a bipartisan deal to provide nearly $50 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine in its battle against Russia. With this, the total US aid to Ukraine in this effort goes up to $100 billion.

"I am honored to be with you here in Donbas today. Allow me to congratulate you on your holiday and the great holiday of our entire state - the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I wish you strength to heroically defend our state, as you are doing now," Zelensky was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the President's Office on Tuesday.

Volodymyr Zelensky made the remarks in his nightly address to the nation on Wednesday evening. "Energy workers and utility workers, all our services are doing everything to stabilise the system and give people more energy for longer... It is very important that people understand when and for what period of time they will be left without electricity," the President said.