After Trump’s third phone call with Putin since his inauguration, it appears there will be no letup in fighting and less U.S. pressure on Moscow.

The Russians are "trying to avoid giving anything because they are very, very hard-nosed negotiators," one analyst told NBC News.

The Axios portal, citing its sources, reports on a conversation between Donald Trump and European leaders during which he informed them about his discussions with Vladimir Putin. The European leaders were reportedly surprised by the U.

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke for two hours in a call both called “useful," but offered no breakthrough in Russia–Ukraine peace negotiations.

Vladimir Putin has made a rare visit to the front lines amid a deadly drone attack on a Ukrainian military training camp. Devastating missile and drone strikes in the Sumy region of Ukraine have killed at least six Ukrainian soldiers carrying out training exercises,

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are holding a call to discuss the efforts to reach a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine. Why it matters: Trump believes his personal involvement could break the logjam in the diplomatic efforts and has even said that no breakthrough can be achieved without a meeting between him and Putin.

President Putin recently visited the Kursk region, marking his first trip since Russia claimed full control after ousting Ukrainian forces with North Korean support. He met local volunteers displaying pro-invasion symbols and lauded their efforts during this challenging period.

Donald Trump has been urged to pressure Russia with further sanctions, after Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky warned Vladimir Putin is “trying to buy time” to continue his war.The US president insisted progress had been made after his two-hour call with the Russian president on Monday.