The meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin "could be the first step" towards peace in the Ukraine conflict, Defence Secretary John Healey has said. He added that the UK were ready to "put boots on the ground" in Ukraine to reinforce a ceasefire, in the event that one is agreed.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin hold talks in Alaska on Friday, with the U.S. president's hopes of sealing a ceasefire agreement on Ukraine uncertain but with a last gasp offer from Putin of a possible nuclear deal that could help both men save face.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Trump administration’s “energetic” efforts to stop the war in Ukraine and hinted that Moscow and Washington could strike a deal on nuclear arms control during their summit on Friday in Alaska.