The Kremlin has played down talk of an imminent summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, as Donald Trump renewed his call for the two leaders to meet to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

President Trump seeks to broker a meeting of the two leaders to end Europe’s most destructive war in generations.

Zelensky talks puts Kremlin in a bind: accept and legitimise Kyiv’s leader or refuse and face fresh US sanctions. Read here

The Kremlin is keeping its options open, but analysts said the Russian leader would probably only meet with his Ukrainian counterpart to accept a capitulation.

Plus: Texas Dems return, ending redistricting standoff{beacon} PRESIDENT TRUMP and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were cordial in front of the cameras for their high-stakes summit in the