Slow progress dampens hopes for Russia-Ukraine peace deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said ‘we are working with partners to put pressure on the Russians to behave differently’. Picture: Efrem Lukatsky/AP

US President Donald Trump’s phone calls with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine deepened expectations that progress might soon be made on ending the war, though frustration at the slow pace of negotiations and the absence of any significant breakthrough kept hopes low.

“It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday on Telegram.