Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has said at least 200,000 European soldiers would be needed to serve as peacekeepers in the event of a ceasefire deal with Vladimir Putin.Mr Zelensky claimed Russia would return to Europe with an army 10 times the size of that which invaded Ukraine in 2022 if a peace agreement does not include strong security guarantees.

President Donald Trump, just hours after his inauguration, announced his intention to end the war in Ukraine by engaging in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump emphasized the need to speak with Putin to gauge his willingness for peace, noting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is prepared for a peace agreement.