That will take some doing. Putin remains uninterested in peace talks as long as Russian troops continue to gain ground in Ukraine’s east, albeit at a slow pace, and while Ukrainian forces hold seized territory in the Kursk region inside Russia, according to John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, and other former officials.

President Donald Trump says his administration has already had “very serious” discussions with Russia about its war in Ukraine and that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin could soon take “significant” action toward ending the grinding conflict.

US President Donald Trump expressed hope for a breakthrough in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine during Tuesday's conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He pointed to constructive talks being held with both countries.

News alerts lit up phones across Kyiv on Sunday night after former President Donald Trump made a brief but cryptic comment on a tarmac in Palm Beach, Florida. The president stated that discussions involving Ukraine and Russia are "making progress.