President Donald Trump started the week declaring a diplomatic breakthrough in his bid to get Russia and Ukraine closer to making peace, announcing he had begun arranging for direct talks between Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In the Oval Office, Trump brandished a photograph he said Vladimir Putin sent him after their summit in Alaska and said he would sign it for the Russian leader.

Russia’s top diplomat said Friday that no meeting is planned between President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, casting new doubt on President Donald Trump’s push for a summit to end the war.

Usha Vance called Melania Trump a "role model" Thursday for caring about children's welfare, referencing Mrs. Trump's letter to Vladimir Putin about protecting future generations.

President Trump said in a social media post Monday that he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin and set in motion arrangements for a summit at a location to be decided.

Despite Russia being banned from FIFA competitions, Trump said he thinks Putin will attend the 2026 World Cup.

Geneva, Istanbul and Budapest have been put forward as potential locations - but bilateral talks still remain a long way off.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said there is no agenda for a potential summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy, accusing Zelenskiy of saying "no to everything".

The president called the meetings with both leaders "very successful," despite failing to reach a ceasefire deal.

Ukraine's president told reporters in Kyiv he wanted to "have an understanding" of the protections his allies are willing to offer within seven to 10 days.