By Gram Slattery and Humeyra Pamuk WEST PALM BEACH, Florida/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and advised him not to escalate the Ukraine war,

Vladimir Putin has denied reports that he spoke with Donald Trump in recent days. The Washington Post reported on Sunday that the pair had had a phone call during which Mr Trump had told the Russian President not to escalate the Ukraine war. Reuters also reported the call.

The U.S. presidential election on Tuesday carries significant stakes for the Kremlin. Vice President Kamala Harris is likely to try to continue the massive military and economic support to Ukraine undertaken by President Joe Biden as it defends itself against the invasion by Russia.