Russian President Vladimir Putin praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine, more than three years after Moscow launched its invasion, as the two leaders prepared for a pivotal U.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Donald Trump's "energetic and sincere" efforts to end the war in Ukraine. But on the streets of Moscow while many hope for an end to the war, they disagree on how to get there.

Over recent months, the Kremlin has been trying to move the diplomatic focus away from Ukraine to bilateral issues, such as trade and strategic stability.