Russia Rapidly Gaining Territory in Ukraine

Ahead of the talks, on Sunday night the Élysée insisted Ukraine was not “on the brink of collapse”.

A spokesman said European leaders must commit to backing Ukraine in the long term, in the event that the latest peace talks with Donald Trump failed.

“Ukraine is holding its own and doing even better than that. Ukraine is not on the brink of collapse,” they said.

“If we cannot immediately reach a peace agreement with Russia, it is essential that we give Ukraine all the support it needs so that it does not lose ground due to a lack of support.”

Trump’s son, Donald Jr, said in a Middle East conference that his father could walk away from the peace talks.

But Keith Kellogg, the outgoing US envoy to Ukraine, said a deal was “really close”. Ukrainian and US negotiators also issued a joint statement calling on Russia to show a “serious commitment to long-term peace”, sowing confusion about the prospect of a deal.

The Élysée said: “What’s very good about the current phase is that the consultations with the Ukrainians are also very intense. And it’s good, indeed, that the Americans are hearing from the Ukrainians what is possible and what isn’t.

“And once that’s established, the essential thing is for the Americans to get commitments from the Russians that make negotiations ... credible.”

Moscow welcomed the changes, saying the adjustments were “largely consistent” with its own vision.