Ukraine talks to start 'immediately

Russia signals willingness to engage in dialogue with Ukraine, but stops short of agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire as demanded by the United States, writes Danny Kemp

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Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to “immediately” start ceasefire talks on Monday after the United States’ president spoke for more than two hours on the phone to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Mr Putin said separately that he was ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum towards a possible peace deal - but fell short of giving Mr Trump the unconditional 30-day ceasefire he sought.

Mr Trump had set up the call amid increasing frustrations with both Moscow and Kyiv after promising during his election campaign to end the grinding three-year-old conflict in 24 hours.

"Just completed my two-hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. I believe it went very well," Mr Trump said on his Truth Social network on Monday.

"Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations towards a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War."

Mr Trump added that the "tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent."

The Vatican - where Pope Leo XIV was recently elected as the first American pontiff - would be "very interested" in hosting the Russia-Ukraine talks, Mr Trump added.