President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin directly as his Defense Secretary said NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic.

"Any agreement without us will fail, because you need Europe and Ukraine to also implement the agreement," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. "Any quick fix is a dirty deal." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said: "Nothing can be discussed on Ukraine without Ukraine or on Europe without Europe.

Diplomats at the Munich Security Conference were uttering “appeasement,” with all its historical resonance, to describe the Trump administration’s approach to negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance accused European leaders on Friday of censoring free speech and failing to control immigration, drawing a sharp rebuke from Germany's defence minister and overshadowing discussions on the war in Ukraine.

His address to the Munich Security Conference comes after Zelensky says he doesn't see a "ready US plan" to end the war.