Diplomatic tensions escalate as President Donald Trump casts doubt on Ukraine’s democracy, criticizing its ongoing wartime ban on national elections.

European Union leaders are gathering this week at the end of political year dominated by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Reporting his team's progress in Berlin, the US president stated that they are closer to a peace deal than “we have been ever”.

The president said he had exchanged “pretty strong words” with European leaders, while Russia signaled it saw itself as increasingly on the same page as the U.S.

KYIV, Ukraine -- KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “hasn’t read” a U.S-authored peace proposal aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

EXCLUSIVE: Donald Trump has "written off today's Europe" and will forge "a pact of gold and steel" with Putin, a foreign policy expert has warned.

President Donald Trump asked when Ukraine would have democratic elections at a press availability on Wednesday. REPORTER: And you said in an interview yesterday that you think it's time for Zelensky to start accepting things.

Ukraine delivered its response to the latest US-drafted peace proposal aimed at ending the war with Russia to the Trump administration on Wednesday, US and Ukrainian officials told CNN, as the contours of a tenuous potential deal take shape and the US president continues to make clear he wants the conflict resolved quickly.

President Donald Trump warned that the Russia-Ukraine conflict could spiral into a world war if the parties keep "playing games."