Ryanair is drawing up plans for the resumption of flights to Ukraine amid rising hopes that Donald Trump could bring about an end to the war with Russia.

Michael O’Leary, the airline’s chief executive, said Ryanair was developing a blueprint that would allow flights to begin within four to six weeks of the conflict ending. Plans are being drawn up as the US president presses for a ceasefire.

Mr O’Leary said: “I would very much hope it’s this year. I think one of the things that Trump can deliver, hopefully, would be an earlier resolution of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.”

Shortly after coming to office, Mr Trump threatened to impose new tariffs and sanctions on Russia unless Vladimir Putin ended the “ridiculous war” in Ukraine. He wrote on Truth Social: “We can do it the easy way, or the hard way – and the easy way is always better.”