Pressure is growing in Washington for new sanctions to be placed on Russia in order to push Moscow to wind down the war in Ukraine.

Donald Trump has suggested the US could hit Ukraine, as well as Russia, with sanctions unless a peace deal is reached. Speaking in the Oval Office alongside visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the US president likened Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin to two fighting children.

After their Vatican meeting last month, the Ukrainian leader said he was under the impression Trump would impose sanctions on Russia if no ceasefire deal was reached.