US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) expressed optimism about the possibility of brokering a "long-lasting" peace between Russia and Ukraine, despite acknowledging the deep personal animosity between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a major obstacle to negotiations.

During a bilateral lunch with the Ukrainian President in the White House, Trump reiterated his confidence in facilitating an end to the ongoing war.

"They (President Zelenskyy and President Putin) don't like each other. I say that in front of President Zelenskyy, but I say it in front of President Putin, too. They have tremendous bad blood. It really is holding up, I think, a settlement. I think we're going to get it done," the US President said.

He emphasised the im

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