U.S. President Donald Trump says he has called Russian President Vladimir Putin and begun to arrange a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a critical step toward bringing a possible end to Russia's war on Ukraine.

In a reversal only few hours after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said an overall peace agreement, and not a ceasefire, was the best way to end the war. That statement echoed Putin’s view that Russia is not interested in a temporary truce, and instead is seeking a long-term settlement that takes Moscow’s interests into account.

President Donald Trump is scheduled on Monday to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House for a high-stakes meeting as the U.S. president pushes for a deal to end Moscow's war on its neighbor. A host of European leaders will join the pair.