President Donald Trump has told reporters that he will meet with Vladimir Putin "very soon" to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump said he was working hard to achieve peace, and said he believes both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky want to stop fighting.

It comes as the United States and Russia are preparing for initial talks in Saudi Arabia in the coming days.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier today Ukraine and Europe would be part of any "real negotiations" to end the war.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters upon arrival in West Palm Beach, Florida,

President Putin

Meanwhile, a senior Ukrainian government source told the BBC Kyiv officials had not been invited to talks between the US and Russia aimed at ending the war

Leaders from across Europe have also not been asked to join the discussions, and are instead set to meet in Paris at a summit hastily arranged by the French president, as fears grow the continent is being locked out of negotiations.