Ukraine says Russia must withdraw to pre-war positions before talks can happen

Volodymyr Zelensky is seen on screen as he addresses the audience from Kyiv during the World Economic Forum in Davos (AP)

Ukraine’s president has said Russia must pull back to its pre-war positions as a first step before diplomatic talks, a negotiating line that Moscow is unlikely to agree to anytime soon.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he currently sees no willingness on the part of Russia to resume earnest negotiations on ending the three-month war.