Keir Starmer and a number of European allies have discussed putting "several thousand boots on the ground" as part of a peacekeeping force to assist Ukraine should an agreement be reached with Russia.

A virtual "Coalition of the Willing" meeting has been held, chaired by Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.

All participants at a virtual meeting confirmed the need for continued support for Ukraine.

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However, while work had begun on a framework for security guarantees for Ukraine, no decisions have yet been made on what these would comprise, according to Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

Speaking on Russian state TV, Kremlin Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that territorial changes are often an essential component of resolving conflicts.

He said: "With respect for Russia’s security interests, without full respect for the rights of Russians and Russian-speaking people who live in Ukraine, there can be no talk of any long-term agreements."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelensky described his talks with President Trump as "very good".

Sir Keir Starmer hosted Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street last week | GETTY

Putin's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had stressed that Russia 'cannot give up' Crimea earlier this week | REUTERS

Zelensky says he wants 'everything' from the US as he vows a 'strong Ukrainian army' | POOL

President Trump himself has said there will not be any US boots on the ground, adding that Ukraine is going to get "a lot of land."

He told Fox News this afternoon: "I hope President Putin is going to be good, and if he's not, it's going to be a rough situation."

While Trump said that a "warm relationship" with the Russian leader was a "good thing", he said that "I don't want to wast time, I just want to end it."

Trump said: "I don't think it's going to be a problem, to be honest with you. I think Putin is tired of it. I think they're all tired of it, but you never know...We're going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks ... It's possible that he doesn't want to make a deal."

President Donald Trump talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer next to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz