A European defense official told CNN recently there were “active discussions” about similar assistance. A ceasefire, followed by European NATO members manning a de-militarized zone is a key tenet of a peace plan floated by US President Donald Trump’s new Ukraine envoy, Gen. Keith Kellogg, in a policy paper from April.

The United States wants Ukraine to hold elections later this year if an agreement is reached with Russia, Reuters reports. The United States, according to the Reuters agency, is advocating for elections in Ukraine if Kyiv reaches an agreement with Russia regarding a ceasefire.

Ryanair is drawing up plans for the resumption of flights to Ukraine amid rising hopes that Donald Trump could bring about an end to the war with Russia.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Jan. 31 that his team has already engaged in "very serious" discussions with Russia about its war in Ukraine. He suggested that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin could soon take "significant steps" toward ending the conflict.

At least 14 people were killed in the city of Poltava, Ukrainian officials said, blaming Russia. Four people were killed in Sudzha, a Russian town held by Ukraine, in a strike both countries blamed on each other.