Washington DC/Moscow, March 18 -- Nearly three weeks after a disastrous meeting with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy at the White House, US President Donald Trump Tuesday called his Russian counterpart in a fresh attempt to resolve the conflict.

Trump, who called Vladimir Putin at 10 am Eastern Time (US), spoke to the Russian leader for over two hours, the White House said.

"Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people," the White House stated.

Both leaders negotiated ways to secure a ...