Kyiv is working with allies on security guarantees akin to NATO's mutual protection pledge, Ukraine's president Volodymr Zelensky has said. Officials from Ukraine and allies the U.S., the U.K., France and Germany met in London on Thursday in a week when a peace proposal was produced which outlined an Article 5-like agreement which would be backed by Washington.

The president’s comments came after he said Crimea “will stay with Russia,” a position backed by the mayor of Kyiv, who conceded that his country may have to give up territory.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin confirmed during a meeting with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for the Middle East, on 25 April that Moscow is prepared to hold talks with Ukraine without preconditions.

President Trump said Saturday that he doubts Russia’s Vladimir Putin wants to end his war in Ukraine. Only a day earlier, Trump said Ukraine and Russia were " very close to a deal."

ROME — President Donald Trump said Saturday that he doubts Russia's Vladimir Putin wants to end his war in Ukraine, expressing new skepticism that a peace deal can be reached soon. Only a day earlier, Trump had said Ukraine and Russia were “ very close to a deal."

Many of President Trump’s actions have been seen as benefiting Russia either directly or indirectly, so much so that Russian officials have celebrated some of his moves.