Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with CNN that he is "ready for negotiations" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that if the negotiations fail, "it would mean World War III."

"I'm ready for negotiations with him. I think without negotiations we cannot end this war," the Ukrainian leader said.

"If there is just one percent chance for us to stop this war, I think that we need to take this chance... to have the possibility of negotiating, the possibility of talking to Putin," he said. "If these attempts fail, that would mean that this is a third world war," he added.

Zelensky also noted that "if Ukraine were a member of NATO, the war would not have started."

"I'd like to receive security guarantees for my country, for my people. If NATO members are ready to see us in the alliance, then do it immediately. Because people are dying on a daily basis," he said, while also adding that he was grateful for the aid NATO has provided since the invasion began.