On the campaign trail last year, Donald Trump promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war. But in the five months since taking office, the United States president has struggled to get the two sides to agree to a ceasefire.

Putin said efforts to end the war were "generally on the right track" and that Moscow was ready to work with Ukraine on a potential peace deal.

After a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday cease-fire negotiations to end the war in Ukraine will start immediately.