Ukraine and the US will hold in-person negotiations. However, this will take place after documents that both sides can agree on are developed, stated Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Brusylov.

Donald Trump has said the US could “take a pass” on Ukraine peace talks if Moscow or Kyiv “make it very difficult”, but added he thought there was a “good chance” of succeeding. He also said negotiations are “coming to a head” and insisted that neither side is “playing” him in his push to end the grinding war.

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the comments in Paris just hours after Ukraine said it had signed an outline minerals deal with the US.