The European Union’s foreign policy chief says the possibility of Ukraine ceding land to Russia as part of a peace deal to end their three-year war is “a trap” set by Russian President Vladimir Putin

In the most detailed Russian-based reporting to date on Putin's offer at the summit, Reuters was able to outline the contours of what the Kremlin would like to see in a possible peace deal.

Vladimir Putin has made the startling claim that the West is responsible for the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian dictator said he was doing all he could to stop the war despite continuing to launch missile and drone strikes on civilians.

NATO allies and Ukraine are working together to make sure security guarantees for Ukraine are at such a robust level that Russia will never try to attack again, NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Friday, adding that Europe and the United States would be involved in providing them.

Russia is stepping up its attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine despite steps towards peace progressing this week.