European leaders are reportedly weighing on creation of a 40km buffer zone between the Russian and Ukrainian frontlines as part of a peace deal.

The proposal is among several that military and civilian officials are considering for either a postwar or ceasefire scenario in Ukraine, the Politico reported, citing five European diplomats.

"They’re grasping for straws,” Jim Townsend, a former Pentagon official who oversaw Europe and Nato policy under Barack Obama administration, told the website.

“The Russians are not afraid of the Europeans. And if they think that a couple of British and French observers are going to deter them from marching into Ukraine, then they’re wrong.”

Donald Trump's peace efforts appear to be failing after Vladimir Putin's forces launched the second-largest attack on the Ukrainian capital, killing 23 people, just days after both leaders met in Alaska.

President Donald Trump "was not happy" when he learned that Russia attacked Ukraine with missiles and drones overnight, killing at least 23 people and damaging buildings, including the British Council in Kyiv.

"He was not happy about this news, but he was also not surprised. These are two countries that have been at war for a very long time," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding that Trump will make an additional statement on the situation later on Thursday.

Italian leader Giorgia Meloni has said that Russia's second-largest airstrike on Ukraine shows Moscow is not interested in negotiating an end to the war.

The prime minister said: "The intense attacks on Kyiv last night demonstrate who stands on the side of peace and who has no intention of believing in the negotiating path."

"Our thoughts go to the Ukrainian people, to civilians, to the families of defenseless victims, including children, of the senseless Russian attacks."

The Donald Trump administration has approved a $825m (£611m) arms sale to Ukraine that will include extended-range missiles and related equipment to boost its defensive capabilities as US efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia appear stalled.

The US state department yesterday said that it had notified Congress of the sale of extended-range attack munition missiles and navigation systems for Ukraine.

The sale will cover 3,350 ERAM missiles, 3,350 GPS units, along with components, spare parts and other accessories, as well as training and technical support.

It said Ukraine would use funding from Nato allies Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway in addition to US foreign military financing to pay for the equipment

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the department said in a statement.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz has confirmed that a proposed bilateral meeting between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will not take place.

"We have to deal with this issue again today, given the fact that there will obviously not be a meeting between president Zelensky and president Putin," he said alongside French president Emmanuel Macron as the two met to discuss efforts to end Moscow's offensive on Ukraine.

The statement comes after a major Russian attack on Kyiv killed at least 23 people, including children.

The US president had proposed that Zelensky and Putin meet directly at a bilateral summit, which Trump could join.

This is "different from what was agreed between president Trump and president Putin last week when we were in Washington together," Merz added.

Starmer and EU leaders may express outrage but they need to take more drastic action to help Ukraine beat Putin, writes World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the airstrike on Kyiv, the second-largest attack since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, was Moscow's answer to diplomatic efforts to end its war.

At least 23 people, including children, were killed in the capital, Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on Telegram.

"Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table," Zelensky said on X, calling for new sanctions on Russia. "It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war."

Russia said its attack had hit military-industrial facilities and air bases, and that Ukraine had attacked Russian targets. The Kremlin said it was still interested in pursuing peace talks.

Russia has killed at least 23 people including four children in a massive wave of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s capital that has drawn international condemnation.

Sir Keir Starmer accused Vladimir Putin of “sabotaging hopes of peace” with the attacks that took place in the early hours of Thursday and saw more than 600 drones and over 30 missiles launched.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strike, the second largest attack since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, was Moscow’s answer to diplomatic efforts to end its war.

Sam Kiley reports.