MOSCOW/KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can visit Moscow for negotiations if he wishes, and all necessary conditions, including security, will be ensured, a Kremlin aide said on Tuesday.

Speaking to Russian media outlet Vesti following Russian President Vladimir Putin's telephone conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Yury Ushakov said Stubb and Store had conveyed Zelensky's desire to speak directly with Putin.

"Our president reiterated that if Zelensky really wants to hold direct talks, he should come to Moscow, where all necessary conditions, including security arrangements, will be ensured," said Ushakov.

Oleshky humanitarian ceasefire 

The humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky, a town in the Kherson region, will remain in effect until 10:59 pm Moscow time (1959 GMT) on Nov 1, Russia's Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova was quoted by local media as saying on Tuesday.

Lantratova said the ceasefire agreement was being fully implemented, with no violations reported. She stressed that maintaining the truce was important for providing assistance to local residents.

Oleshky is located on the left bank of the Dnieper River, opposite the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson. The town has been facing a severe humanitarian situation, with residents reportedly experiencing worsening shortages of food and other essential supplies amid continuous fighting.

Last Friday, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a temporary ceasefire in the area to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.

Russia entry ban

Russia has barred seven British defense industry executives from entering the country, accusing their companies of supplying Ukraine with weapons and military technologies, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

In a statement published on its website, the ministry said the executives were added to Russia's entry ban list because their companies supply weapons and technologies that are used in Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russian territory.

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Three of the executives are from Rotron Aerospace: CEO Alex Head, chief military adviser Kev Oliver and board chairman George Zambellas. The company is involved in the development of the Brakestop long-range missile project, the ministry said.

The other four are Robert Gascoyne, CEO of MGI Engineering, which is also involved in the Brakestop project; Neil Appleton, CEO of drone maker Malloy Aeronautics; Paul Webb, director and co-founder of reconnaissance drone maker Tekever UK; and Julian Cracknell, chief technology and information officer at BAE Systems.

The ministry accused Britain of supplying Ukraine with missile and drone weapons and technologies, with the aim of inflicting maximum damage on Russia. It also criticized the British government's defense spending priorities, arguing that funds allocated to military contractors could instead be used to support Britain's civilian sector amid domestic economic and social challenges. 

Putin, Zelensky talk with Finnish, Norwegian leaders

Putin discussed the settlement of the Ukraine conflict in a telephone conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

"It was emphasized that the achievement of a just long-term peace is possible only with full and unconditional consideration of the legitimate interests of the Russian Federation," the Kremlin said in an official statement.

Putin drew attention to the confrontational policy of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries, which led to the prolongation of the conflict, it said.

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Issues of ensuring security and stability in the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe were also touched upon, the Kremlin said. Stubb and Store stressed the importance of complying with international maritime law and the principle of freedom of navigation, it noted.

Describing the discussion as "frank and substantive," Stubb said that Finland and Norway, both neighboring countries to Russia, would be directly affected by the outcome of the conflict, as would broader European security. "Ending the war requires direct discussions," he said, cited by a press release from the Finnish President's Office.

The call, initiated by Stubb and Store, was held in consultation with Ukraine and aimed to convey messages directly to Putin regarding future negotiations to end the conflict, and was related to upcoming meetings in the United Arab Emirates, the press release said.

Also on Tuesday, the Ukrainian president said he had spoken by phone with Stubb and Store. "Alex and Jonas made it clear to the Russian leader that real de-escalatory steps are needed regarding our energy and infrastructure," Zelensky said on X.

Their discussions included preparations for a trilateral meeting involving Ukrainian, US and Russian teams scheduled for November, and possible formats for Ukraine's cooperation with European partners on diplomacy, defense and shared security.