US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that a deal was closer than ever to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but reported no apparent breakthrough on the flashpoint issue of territory after new talks with the warring countries’ leaders.

Trump, who had promised a peace deal on day one of his nearly year-old presidency, said it would become clear within weeks whether it was possible to solve the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people.

In a pre-New Year’s diplomatic sprint, Trump brought to his Florida estate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who described a peace plan as 95 per cent complete despite Russia unleashing major new attacks a day before on Kyiv’s residential areas.

Much like when Zelensky last met Trump in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin also spoke shortly beforehand by telephone with the US leader, who immediately insisted that Moscow was “serious” about peace despite the assault.

I really believe we’re, Mr President, probably closer than — far closer than — ever before with both parties,” Trump said with Zelensky at his side in the tea room of his Mar-a-Lago estate.

“Everybody wants it ended,” Trump said.

Zelensky looked on politely, only betraying the slightest look of disbelief as Trump told him that Putin, who ordered the February 2022 invasion that has included major attacks on infrastructure, “wants to see Ukraine succeed.”