Trump says US planes could defend Ukraine

UNITED States President Donald Trump has said American jets could help to defend Ukraine if there is a deal to end the war in the country, but he acknowledged it was possible that Russia's President Vladimir Putin would reject a peace plan.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

Mr Trump said it would be a “rough situation” if Mr Putin failed to agree peace terms, but stressed that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky had to show flexibility, including giving up hopes of getting back Crimea or joining Nato.

The US president's comments came as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer held talks with members of the 'coalition of the willing', the nations prepared to contribute to guaranteeing Ukraine's security if a deal to end the Russian invasion can be reached. In a conference call yesterday, members of the group discussed the possibility of further sanctions on Russia, while planners from the nations will meet their US counterparts “in the coming days”, amid efforts to set up “robust security guarantees”, Number 10 said.