Donald Trump has claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can end Russia's illegal invasion of his country "almost immediately".
Donald Trump has claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can end Russia's illegal invasion of his country "almost immediately" ahead of the leaders' high-stakes White House meeting tonight.
In a post on Truth Social this morning, the US president appeared to put the onus for reaching a ceasefire or peace deal on Zelenskyy rather than Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
"President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight," Trump said.
READ MORE: European leaders to join Ukraine's Zelenskyy for meeting with Trump
"Remember how it started."
The unprovoked war was launched by Russia more than three years ago, and has since gone on to claim hundreds of thousands of lives.
A study in June found Moscow's forces were closing in on 1 million military casualties – including about 250,000 deaths – while the figure for Ukraine was sitting at almost 400,000, with 60,000-100,000 deaths.
Tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians have also been injured and killed in the conflict.
In his post, Trump suggested Zelenskyy would have to cede the Crimean peninsula – which is part of Ukraine's internationally recognised borders but has been controlled by Russia since it was seized in 2014 – as part of any peace deal.
He also ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine, something Zelenskyy has long sought.
"No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE," Trump wrote.
"Some things never change!!!"
READ MORE: How the Epstein files have turned Donald Trump's base against him
The post comes just two days after the much-anticipated meeting between Trump and Putin that ended without a ceasefire plan, and with the Russian dictator having appeared to give up very little – if anything at all – in return for his red-carpet treatment on US soil.
Trump has repeatedly defended the summit, while special envoy Steve Witkoff said Putin did make a crucial concession during the talks.
"We were able to win the following concession: that the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in NATO," he told CNN, adding it was "game-changing".
It's "the first time we had ever heard the Russians agree to that", Witkoff said.
Trump's comments also come as Zelenskyy prepares for his second White House meeting with Trump, to be held overnight (Australian time).
However, unlike his first trip to Washington this year, when he was infamously and very publicly ambushed by Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office, he'll be joined by an ensemble of prominent European leaders.
READ MORE: 'Insane': Surfer's miracle escape from huge shark at NSW beach
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as their counterparts from Italy, Finland, NATO and the European Union, will all accompany Zelenskyy.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, meanwhile, once again indicated an openness to sending troops to be part of any potential United Nations peacekeeping force in the future, saying he would consider any request.
However, he said there was a long way to go before those discussions could take place.
"We know that Mr Putin has designs on not just Ukraine," Albanese told Sky News.
"The concern is certainly there, and there is certainly a lack of trust between Mr Putin and European and other leaders of democracies.
"We stand with Ukraine, we want to see peace in the region. Ukraine must, of course, not have a solution imposed on it. They need to be a part of those negotiations."
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Underworld figure, 31, survived deadly pub shooting that killed his mate
Body of infant found inside stormwater drain in Perth's north
Neo-Nazi's bail extended after stop-start hearing
Thieves targeted Melbourne home as family with kids slept inside
Cocaine haul worth $26m found inside shipping container
Former pilot accused of murdering his wife has bail breach charge dismissed
Community devastated as father and son killed while getting ice cream
What happened inside cockpit before plane crash landed on golf course
Western Bulldogs player Jamarra Ugle-Hagan caught up in nightclub shooting
Coldest night of the year recorded as east coast deluge to continue
'Insane': Surfer's miracle escape from huge shark at NSW beach
Priscilla, Superman actor Terence Stamp dead at 87
Three charged after Melbourne dad allegedly stabbed 11 times
Businesses devastated after suspected firebombing in Brisbane
60 Minutes, 9News scoop multiple honours
Breathtaking 'stadium effect' captured in eye of rare Hurricane Erin
