Trump Optimistic About Ukraine Ceasefire

President Donald Trump expressed optimism that US negotiators could secure a ceasefire in the Ukraine war, even as Kyiv and Moscow launched fresh aerial attacks early yesterday.

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Washington –

The US wants Russia to agree to an unconditional halt to hostilities, officials said on Wednesday.

The Kremlin said it was awaiting details of a US-Ukrainian proposal agreed this week and gave no indication of its readiness to stop the fighting that has left tens of thousands dead in the past three years.

President Vladimir Putin visited Russian troops who have made gains against Ukrainian forces battling to keep Russian territory seized in an offensive last year.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country was ready to embrace a deal and the US had indicated it would issue a "strong" response if Putin refuses an accord.

"People are going to Russia right now as we speak. And, hopefully, we can get a ceasefire from Russia," Trump told reporters during an Oval Office meeting with Ireland's prime minister Micheal Martin.