Leaders of the two countries have exchanged accusations and threats ahead of an anticipated halt to Russian gas flows via Ukraine

Slovakia on Friday confirmed its readiness to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, despite Kyiv's accusation that it is playing into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin.He said Slovakia had told Kyiv in October that it was available to host peace talks.

Ukraine and Russia today swapped over 300 prisoners of war as Putin said he is "open to peace talks". Moscow's Defence Ministry said each side freed 150 prisoners of war, although Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the number of Kyiv's soldiers at 189. The reason behind the discrepancy is unclear at the moment.