Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Schroeder's actions are 'disgusting'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday branded as "disgusting" the behaviour of ex-German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who said Russia wanted a "negotiated solution" to the war.

Schroeder, who is a friend of President Vladimir Putin, said he met the Kremlin leader last week, adding there was even the possibility of slowly reaching a cease-fire. "It is simply disgusting when former leaders of major states with European values work for Russia, which is at war against these values," Zelenskiy said in a late-night video address.

Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak earlier dismissed Schroeder as a "voice of the Russian royal court" and said any negotiated peace settlement with Moscow would be contingent on a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops.