Kyiv has now expressed readiness to drop its bid to join the NATO military alliance if the U.S. and other Western nations give it similar security guarantees.

Russia has reacted to talks in Berlin that left western leaders optimistic on the prospect for peace. A "multinational force" to secure peace and NATO-style security guarantees are on the table. Follow the latest below.

Ukraine’s president met with U.S. negotiators about plans to end the war with Russia. He said he would give up hopes of joining NATO in exchange for security guarantees.

European defence stocks fell on Tuesday after U.S. officials offered on Monday to provide NATO-style security guarantees for Kyiv under a proposed peace deal with Russia, following two days of talks in Berlin.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held talks on Saturday on US-led peace efforts for Ukraine and the possible use of frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv,

Two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the arrangement would be similar to the NATO mutual defense agreement. But crucial details remain unsettled as negotiators seek a deal that Russia will approve.

The deputy foreign minister added that he hoped an agreement would be reached "sooner rather than later." U.S. administration officials signaled on Monday that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine may be closer than ever,