Rustem Umerov, who was appointed Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine in last week's government reshuffle,"suggested holding another meeting with the Russian side next week," Zelensky said in a video address posted on the X website on Saturday evening.

"The pace of negotiations must be accelerated," the Ukrainian leader said."Everything must be done to achieve a ceasefire."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ignored calls from US President Donald Trump for a ceasefire, while Kiev has agreed to it on the condition that Russia ceases its attacks on Ukraine.

In the latest Russian attack, more than 300 drones and 30 missiles targeted Ukrainian cities on Friday night and early Saturday morning, including the port city of Odessa, where one person was killed and six others were wounded, Zelensky said on Saturday. The Russian capital, Moscow, has been under attack by Ukrainian drones for several nights in a row, local officials and media reported.

In his speech, Zelensky said he was working to ensure that the European Union's 18th package of sanctions against Russia is also implemented by other European countries that are allies of Ukraine but are not EU members. He also said that the"agreement" with Trump on a new arms deal, which includes both the purchase of US-made weapons and the export of Ukrainian drones, should be"implemented as soon as possible."

Zelensky repeatedly expressed his willingness to meet with Putin and discuss ending the war, and also accused Russia of"hiding from decisions."

"A meeting at the leadership level is needed to really ensure peace - really lasting peace," Zelensky said."Ukraine is ready for such a meeting," he added.

Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul in recent months. The two sides have agreed to exchange prisoners but have made no progress in ending the conflict, which began with Putin's unprovoked invasion in February 2022.