Ukrainian and US negotiators gave an upbeat assessment of talks in Berlin on ending Russia’s war, with a top aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy voicing optimism that the sides could close in on an agreement by the end of the day.

President Donald Trump has directed U.S. officials to help to facilitate a “lasting and durable peace" between Ukraine and Russia, with a "very, very strong" package being presented.

The United States, Ukraine and major European countries have reached consensus on 90 percent of terms for a deal to end Ukraine’s war with Russia, two senior U.S. officials said Monday, but they added questions of territorial control have yet to be resolved.

Germany will host U.S. and Ukrainian delegations over the weekend for talks on a ceasefire in Ukraine, before a summit with European leaders and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Berlin on Monday, a German official said.

A 1,000-strong "dark fleet" of rogue tankers evading sanctions has become a new target for the U.S. and Ukraine, according to a senior maritime intelligence analyst.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the heads of government of the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Moscow, Russia November 18,