The Russian president didn’t directly respond to President Trump’s ultimatum that Moscow halt its offensive by the end of next week or face financial penalties.

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he hoped peace talks between Russia and Ukraine would continue and that working groups could discuss potential compromises, but said Moscow's goals remained unchanged.

Speaking one week before the expiry of a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for Russia to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine or face new sanctions - including on countries that buy its energy exports - Putin gave no hint of any change in Moscow's position.