Donald Trump has warned Vladimir Putin not to escalate the war in Ukraine, according to reports.

The two men are said to have discussed how to return peace to Europe, during a post-election phone call, according to The Washington Post.

Mr Trump is said to have raised the issue of Ukrainian territory captured by Russia, although precisely what either man said is unclear.

He also reminded Putin that the US maintained a substantial military presence in Europe.

A former US official familiar with the call said Mr Trump likely did not want to enter office with Russia escalating the war, “giving him incentive to want to keep the war from worsening”.

Mr Trump is said to have told the Russian leader he was interested in future conversations to discuss “the resolution of Ukraine’s war soon”.