The president said he wants both sides to stop where they are. Zelensky signaled openness to such a ceasefire as a starting point to talks.

Ukraine’s president and European leaders are accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling on peace efforts in Ukraine

The melodrama repeated a well-worn cycle. Putin reacted when Trump looked like he might impose a price for Russian intransigence. Then the US president, after speaking to Putin, imposed pressure on Ukraine to give up territory. Then the process hit a wall again, leaving Trump frustrated.

Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders from across Europe have insisted Ukraine is "the only party serious about peace".

Russia holds nuclear drills, including practice missile launches, after delay to summit between Putin and US president

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is making a last-minute trip to Washington to meet with President Donald Trump, just days after Trump appeared to acquiesce to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demands to end the war in Ukraine.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unidentified U.S. officials, reported earlier on Wednesday that the Trump administration had lifted a restriction on Ukraine's use of some long-range missiles provided by Western allies.