British News Agency

Rubio noted that as Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its fourth year, the US president is "trying to do everything possible to end the war."

The Secretary of State added: "The President has had multiple phone calls with Putin and will likely meet Zelenski again next week in New York."

Trump and Zelenski last met on August 18 in Washington, with the participation of European leaders.

Following the talks, the US President said that the next stage of the White House’s diplomatic effort should be bilateral talks between Zelenski and Putin, or direct meetings with Donald Trump’s participation.

However, the Kremlin did not appear willing to meet with the Ukrainian president, instead inviting Zelenski to Moscow while rejecting other talks.

Kiev rejected the proposal to meet in Moscow, and Putin later said that an agreement on Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation was "impossible."

When asked whether a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents was still on the table, Trump said on Sunday that direct talks were "unlikely."

"The hatred between Zelenski and Putin is unimaginable," Trump said. "I think I will have to do all the talking myself… They hate each other so much they can hardly speak."