'We're getting much closer': Trump says Putin and Zelenskyy both want to end Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump on Monday said he believes both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy want to end the war in Ukraine, expressing confidence that ongoing negotiations are making more progress than many people realise.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said diplomatic efforts were continuing and suggested a breakthrough could be closer than publicly known.

Trump says peace talks are progressing

"I think we're getting much closer than people realize," Trump told reporters.

"President Putin wants it to end. I will tell you that very strongly. And President Zelenskyy actually wants it to end now," he said.

Trump added that both sides were under pressure to end the conflict.

"Well, I think he (Putin) does feel pressure. He wants to end it, and Ukraine wants to end it, and we're in talks, and we'll see if we can get it ended," he said.

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Ukraine to dominate NATO discussions

Trump said the war in Ukraine would be a key topic during this week's NATO summit in Ankara, where he is expected to hold talks with allied leaders.

"We're going to be going to NATO, and we're going to be talking about it," he said.

According to a senior US official, Trump is also expected to meet Zelenskyy during the summit and make a renewed push for a negotiated end to the war.

"The battlefield has clearly frozen over the last couple of months and neither side is making a lot of progress," the official said. "The president feels a real sense of urgency to try to bring this to a stop."

The official added that Trump would also urge NATO allies to increase their defence spending during the summit.

Trump speaks with Putin and Zelenskyy

Trump's remarks came after separate conversations with both Putin and Zelenskyy.

According to a Kremlin aide, Trump spoke with Putin in a lengthy phone call on Sunday, during which he offered to help find a solution to the Ukraine conflict.

Zelenskyy also confirmed speaking with Trump, saying they discussed the war and the 1,200-km frontline. He described the conversation as "very good."