Joint plan to end Ukraine war would 'test' Putin: Nato chief

Nato chief Mark Rutte said on Thursday that if the United States and Europeans could agree on a plan to end the war in Ukraine, this would be a “test” of whether Russia “really wants peace.”

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"So far, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has only played the peacemaker when it suits him, to buy time to continue his war," Rutte said in a speech in Berlin.

US President Donald Trump "wants to end the bloodshed now" and is "the only one who can get Putin to the negotiating table," Rutte said.

"So, let's put Putin to the test. Let's see if he really wants peace, or if he prefers the slaughter to continue."

Ukrainian officials on Wednesday said they had sent Washington an updated plan for ending Russia's invasion, building on a 28-point proposal made by US President Donald Trump last month.

The original plan, which involved Ukraine surrendering land that Russia has not captured, was seen by Kyiv and its European allies as caving in to too many of Russia's hardline demands.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said further talks with the Americans were planned this weekend and an international meeting on Ukraine “could take place at the beginning of next week.”