Zelensky appealed to Trump on X Monday, asking him for his full support and potentially a visit to Turkey to discuss a possible cease-fire deal.

Russian despot Vladimir Putin is unlikely to show up for peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday as the Kremlin makes the world wait on whether it is prepared to get round the table for talks on ending its war with Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky will only attend talks on Ukraine if Russia's Vladimir Putin is also there, the Ukrainian leader's top aide said, challenging the Kremlin to show it is genuine about seeking peace.