The United States has been pushing Ukraine to accept a peace plan that seems in part a gift to Moscow. But the short meeting of the leaders, and subsequent comments, appeared to be a change in tone.

Zelensky used the funeral of Pope Francis to launch a diplomatic blitz to head off a U.S. proposal to end Russia’s war on Ukraine on terms favorable to Moscow.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday rejected suggestions Ukraine give up Crimea to Russia, as US President Donald Trump's envoy met Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where the Kremlin said they discussed the "possibility" of direct ceasefire talks.