A top Ukrainian official has claimed that the country is 'very near to really ending this war by a just and lasting peace', after Ukrainians were left horrified by a report on a pro-Russian site claiming that Trump might force Kyiv into a unfavourable ceasefire by Easter. 

Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian president's chief of staff who is due to attend the Munich Security Conference next week where Trump is expected to officially unveil his plan for peace in Ukraine, made the comments to the Associated Press. 

He said: 'It's necessary that the leaders and the experts in politics who will be in Munich realise that this is momentum. 

'That we are very near to really ending this war by a just and lasting peace, but (it's) necessary to be together- Not to give Russia an opportunity to divide the world, to divide partners.'

Yermak added that it was imperative that Ukraine was front and centre of any ceasefire plans: 'I think it's important that we go through these consultations and negotiations before the (Trump) administration has any plans. 

'Our position is that it's impossible to have, and will be a big mistake to have, any plans without participation by Ukraine in preparing this plan.'

It comes amid growing horror at reports of a leaked plan for Ukraine that would see Trump try to force Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire with Russia by Easter. 

The unconfirmed plans, reported by Ukrainian outlet Strana, which has been described as pro-Russian, are said to have been doing the rounds in 'political and diplomatic circles' in Ukraine, and will include a ceasefire by April 20 that would freeze Russia's steady advance, a ban on Ukraine from joining NATO, and a demand for Kyiv to accept Russian sovereignty on annexed land. 

On top of this, Ukrainian troops will be made to leave Russia's Kursk region, where it launched a counteroffensive in August, while a contingent of European soldiers, which could include British troops, would be asked to police a demilitarised zone. American troops will not be involved in this contingent. 

The EU will reportedly be asked to assist Ukraine in its reconstruction efforts, which may cost as much as $486billion (£392billion) over the next decade according to the German Marshall Fund thinktank.