Two days of talks between President Volodymyr Zelensky and allies have brought some progress on security guarantees, but Russia remains opposed to any foreign forces in Ukraine.

Washington and Kyiv appear to have made notable shifts to secure progress, but big questions remain, not least whether Moscow will once again reject making concessions.

President Donald Trump has directed U.S. officials to help to facilitate a “lasting and durable peace" between Ukraine and Russia, with a "very, very strong" package being presented.

U.S. officials said they are nearing an agreement with Ukraine to end the war with Russia. Any deal would need final approval from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has taken a hard line and demanded territory in return for peace.

Ukraine’s president met with U.S. negotiators about plans to end the war with Russia. He said he would give up hopes of joining NATO in exchange for security guarantees.

Russia has tried to get concessions from Ukraine for this region but this would mean Kyiv giving up its Fortress Belt, the fortified defensive line which is the backbone of Ukraine’s defenses and Zelensky’s comments reiterated this as a non-starter.

Trump for months has been convinced Putin is hellbent on taking over the entirety of Ukraine with his nearly four-year-old war there — disagreeing with unnamed advisors who felt giving him

The head of Britain’s MI6 spy agency says Russian President Vladimir Putin is stalling efforts to end Russia’s war on Ukraine, and is testing the West with tactics that fall “just below the threshold of war.