WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said after a two-hour call with Vladimir Putin that peace talks would begin “immediately” after his Russian counterpart refused to attend negotiations May 15 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said Russia was engaging in "yet another deception" by failing to present its peace settlement proposal ahead of a potential meeting between the two sides.

Russia may find itself in a disadvantageous position in the eyes of the United States if it fails to show flexibility in peace negotiations with Ukraine, states Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to Anadolu.

By Olena Harmash and Vlad Smilianets KYIV/DNIPRO, Ukraine (Reuters) -Mariupol natives Oleksandr and Liudmyla Lytvyn fled home three years ago during Russia's 86-day siege of the port city in southern Ukraine.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged Wednesday to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems.