But it is clear these telephone calls failed to secure the immediate 30-day interim ceasefire Trump wanted. The only substantive concession he squeezed out of Putin was a promise to end Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, a commitment he is accused by Ukraine of breaking within hours of the call.

Donald Trump has set his deadline for a ceasefire in Ukraine as the US and Russia brace for weeks of "difficult" negotiations. In a symbolic olive branch to Russia, the US President is looking to bring the fighting to an end by April 20 - which marks Easter Sunday in both Western and Eastern sects of Christianity.