President Donald Trump has stirred up backlash after remarking that Russia “wants to see Ukraine succeed” after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and an extended meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv reportedly kills one, injures 27 as Ukraine's president prepares for crucial Trump meeting with peace proposal.

Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone shortly before the meeting. Trump described it as a “good and very productive telephone call.”

By Andrea Shalal and Gram Slattery PALM BEACH, Florida, Dec 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy were "getting a lot closer, maybe very close" to an agreement to end the war in Ukraine,

Posting earlier on Telegram, Zelensky said "a lot can be decided before the New Year" and solutions depended "on those who help Ukraine and on those who put pressure on Russia so that the Russians feel the consequences of their own aggression".

Russian commanders told Putin during an inspection visit that Moscow's forces had captured towns in Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk.

The Kremlin said on Monday that Ukraine should withdraw its troops from the part of Donbas that it still controls if it wanted peace, and that if Kyiv did not strike a deal then it would lose yet more territory.

NATO countries neighboring Ukraine are being compelled to respond militarily in defense of alliance territory.