Why it matters: Putin has shown no interest in sitting down with Zelensky through 3.5 years of war. President Trump claims that's now changed, and that a presidential meeting is the key to unlocking peace.

President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in the quest for a path to end the war with Russia.

While Trump has repeatedly ruled out Ukraine joining Nato, his envoy Steve Witkoff said that Putin had agreed to allow “Nato-style” protection for Ukraine after their meeting on Friday. Moscow has not commented on this.

I love it.” Mr Trump was referring to Mr Zelensky’s decision to bow to American pressure and wear a suit-like garment to the meeting, an issue that had contributed to an acrimonious blow-up in the Oval Office in February (when Mr Zelensky wore a black sweater).

Trump: “President Zelensky can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight."

The Ukrainian leader's visit to the White House in February ended in a heated argument. Monday's meeting with President Trump was less fraught.

The Ukrainian president’s outfit during his visit to the White House Monday reflects a change in tactics since his disastrous meeting with US President Trump earlier this year.

The Kremlin has played down talk of an imminent summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, as Donald Trump renewed his call for the two leaders to meet to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.