“In his view, this would have a particular impact on trade and economic ties, promising enormous benefits for both countries. Donald Trump is keen to see a breakthrough achieved during his presidency. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin supported this approach.”

Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on how to end the war, the deadliest in Europe since World War Two, and both sides have escalated their attacks on each other in recent months. A person close to the Kremlin, speaking before the trip by Trump’s envoys, said Putin remained intent on taking full control of the remainder of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, something Kyiv has vowed to continue fiercely opposing with every weapon at its disposal.

Ushakov – who said Putin and Trump had also agreed on the need to continue prisoner exchanges – said he was not able to get into more detail about what had been discussed, but described the conversation as constructive and said the two leaders had agreed they would stay in touch and speak to each other by phone again if the need arose.

He said Putin had told Trump that Russia had no hostile intentions when it came to Europe despite repeated claims to the contrary by various European politicians.

“In light of speculation regarding Russia’s alleged hostile intentions towards European states, it was emphasised that we have absolutely no aggressive plans whatsoever towards Europe,” said Ushakov.

“The myths being spread about the Russian threat merely serve as a pretext for Europeans to ramp up their support for Ukraine and their own military spending,” he added.