Putin has said repeatedly that he is prepared to negotiate an end to the war, which first began in 2014, but that Ukraine would have to accept the reality of Russian territorial gains, which are currently about 20% of its land. He also refuses to accept Ukraine joining Nato, the military alliance of Western countries.

President Trump in a social-media post urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to make a deal, in his most forceful and public effort to end the war in Ukraine.