Russia has occupied a fifth of Ukrainian territory - and a big map showing the area shaded in red was put up in the Oval Office as if to emphasise that point for President Donald Trump's talks with Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday.

The White House asked Ukrainian officials ahead of the meeting if Zelensky would wear a suit, according to a report

As Trump hosted Zelensky and European leaders to energize months of stalled efforts to halt the Russia-Ukraine war, the tone was far different than when Ukraine’s president was hounded out of the White House in February.

It was a striking contrast to the meeting six months ago, when Trump, red-faced and angry, accused an agitated Zelensky of failing to show enough gratitude to the United States. The blowup was so heated that the Ukrainian delegation was sent from the White House without being allowed to eat their waiting lunch.

President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky just ended their much-anticipated Oval Office meeting. It was a much friendlier affair than the February version, and Trump provided some insight about the kind of peace deal he aims to broker.

The Ukrainian leader's visit to the White House in February ended in a heated argument. Monday's meeting with President Trump was less fraught.

Monday Ukraine President Volodymr Zelensky made a return visit to The White House, this time with NATO allies to avoid another Trump-Vance Oval Office ambush he was hit with last February.

Straight off the back of the Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump hosted Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House as he pushes for an end to the war in Ukraine.