Sky News interrupted for Donald Trump announcement in devastating blow to Zelensky

has threatened to "take a pass" on attempts to secure a peace agreement between and in a massive blow to . It comes amid the US President's assurances he could bring an end to the ongoing conflict. Sky News' Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett said the White House raising the spectre of walking away from peace talks showed Mr Trump was frustrated by the lack of progress. Before winning the US election in November, he infamously claimed he could end the war in a day.

The US have since threatened to walk away from peace talks, as he denied the Kremlin were playing them. Mr Trump's Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has said the White House is prepared to "move on", two months after talks began with . This latest ultimatum from the Trump administration comes as their previous deal to stop Russian airstrikes on energy infrastructure came to an end.

Downing Street has confirmed that Keir Starmer spoke with the US President over the phone though the specifics of the conversation were not disclosed.

Speaking from the White House on Friday, Trump told reporters he needed to see "enthusiasm" from both sides.

He agreed with his secretary's sentiments, stating: "Marco is right in saying ... we want to see it end. If for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we're going to say you're fools, you're foolish, and we're just going to take a pass."

"I think I see it," he added. "It's coming to a head right now."

Mr Trump dismissed the idea he was being played by Mr Putin, saying: "Nobody is playing me. I'm trying to help."

"My whole life has been one big negotiation and I know when people are playing us and when they're not," he added.

When questioned about Russian President Vladimir Putin possibly stalling talks, Mr Trump responded: "I hope not."

At the same time, the US and Ukraine finally signed a memorandum marking progress towards a delayed mineral deal which could see greater American involvement in the country.

Viewers took to social media and hit out at the US President as one fumed: "Putin is playing him. Never seen a worse appeaser than Trump."

A second argued: "Did he not say that he would finish the war within 24 hours as soon as he became president ????"

A third mused: "Trump and his promises!"

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov insisted progress towards a deal had been made, but acknowledged the "complicated" situation was "not an easy one" to solve.

Kyiv and its European allies have said the continued attacks show Russia is not serious about peace.