US President Donald Trump has described Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a professional” who has effectively handled Western sanctions amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The remarks followed a one-hour phone call between the two leaders where Trump pressed Putin on ending the war.

The Russian bombardments sent Ukrainians scurrying for shelters across the country and came after the call between Trump and Putin, which ended without a breakthrough.

The president repeatedly said on the campaign trail that he would bring an end to the war in the first 24 hours of his second term.