Putin suggests hosting Zelensky peace meeting in Moscow during Trump phone call but offer is rejected
By MARK DUELL, and OLIVIA CHRISTIE,
Vladimir Putin's suggestion of hosting hosting peace talks in Moscow has been swiftly rejected by President Zelensky.
It comes as President Donald Trump called on his Ukrainian counterpart to show 'some flexibility' ahead of the planned bilateral peace talks with Russia.
The US president last night spoke directly with Putin to begin planning a meeting between the two warring leaders, which will then be followed by a three-way meeting involving himself.
Follow the Daily Mail's liveblog throughout today for all the latest updates
10:35
Putin suggested Zelensky meeting in Moscow
Vladimir Putin suggested holding a possible meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, in Moscow, according to two sources familiar with a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Putin.
'Putin mentioned Moscow' during their call on Monday, one of the sources told AFP, adding that Zelensky had said 'no' in response.
French President Emmanuel Macron earlier suggested Geneva could host a meeting between the two leaders with Swiss authorities since confirming Putin could be offered immunity from prosecution in the event he accepted the city as a venue.
12:31
Breaking:NATO defence chiefs to meet tomorrow to discuss Ukraine
NATO defence chiefs of staff will hold a video meeting about Ukraine on Wednesday, an official has announced.
It comes as the US said this week Ukraine would be able to obtain 'Artice 5-like security guarantees'.
12:19
Zelensky thanks world leaders for their support
12:09
Stock markets rise amid progress on Ukraine talks
European stock markets rose while Wall Street diverged on Tuesday as investors warily eyed signs of progress in talks to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
Markets were also waiting for a key speech by the US Federal Reserve chief this week for clues on interest rate cuts that could bolster the world's biggest economy.
Wall Street opened mixed, as the broad-based S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq indexes retreated while the Dow rose.
London, Paris and Frankfurt stocks all closed higher following a lacklustre session for Asian stock markets.
Defence stocks fell sharply as chances grew for a breakthrough in Ukraine peace talks, with Germany's Rheinmetall dropping 4.7 percent and France's Thales down 4.1 percent.
11:54
Rubio to lead US talks on Ukraine's security guarantees
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead talks on Ukraine's security guarantees ahead of any bilateral talks with Vladimir Putin, Axios is reporting.
Senior officials from the US, Ukraine and Europe will draw up detailed proposals to protect Ukraine going forward which may involve US air support.
Donald Trump has already ruled out American boots on the ground but said European troops could be deployed in any plan.
epa12308626 United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on as US President Donald J Trump meets President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 18 August 2025. European Leaders are at the White House in support of President Zelenskyy following President Trump's meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on August 15, 2025. EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
11:39
Zelensky gifted Trump with golf club during White House summit
TOPSHOT - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump shake hands during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 18, 2025. European leaders join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in talks with US President Donald Trump on August 18, as they try to find a way to end Russia's offensive. The leaders heading to Washington on Monday to appear alongside Zelensky call themselves the "coalition of the willing." (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Volodymyr Zelensky gave Donald Trump a golf club that belonged to a serviceman fighting Russia's invasion during his visit to the White House.
Trump, an avid golfer who owns several courses, accepted the gift and presented Zelensky with symbolic keys to the White House in return, the Ukrainian leader's office said.
The warm exchange marks a stark turnaround from February, when Zelensky left the White House early following a televised shouting match with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance.
Since that tense encounter, Zelensky has sought to repair ties, flattering Trump in public appearances and praising his efforts to secure peace.
'The president of Ukraine presented the president of the United States with a golf club,' Zelensky's office said Tuesday.
The club previously belonged to Kostiantyn Kartavtsev - a Ukrainian soldier who 'had lost a leg in the first months of Russia's full-scale invasion while saving his brothers-in-arms', the office said.
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