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US President Donald Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine “are very close to a deal,” just hours after his envoy, Steve Witkoff, held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Trump characterized the negotiations as a “good day,” while the Kremlin described the talks—attended only by Russian officials—as “constructive.”
Earlier, Trump mentioned on social media that “most of the major points are agreed to,” urging both Russia and Ukraine to meet “at very high levels” to “finish it [the deal] off.”
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized in a video address late Friday that “real pressure on Russia is needed” for it to accept an unconditional ceasefire.
Reports indicate that Ukraine might be required to relinquish significant areas of land annexed by Russia as part of a US peace proposal.
Trump, speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Rome for Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, expressed his support for Russia retaining the Crimean peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014—a notion that Zelensky opposes. Russia currently controls nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory.
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On Friday, traffic in Moscow was halted as Witkoff’s convoy arrived for the high-level talks, marking his fourth visit to Russia since the beginning of the year.
The three-hour discussions were deemed “very useful” by Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, who noted that they had brought the “Russian and US positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on various other international matters.”
He added that the possibility of resuming direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives was specifically discussed.
Earlier this week, Putin indicated for the first time since the early days of the war that he was open to discussions with Zelensky.
His comments were seen as a response to a proposal from the Ukrainian president for a 30-hour Easter truce to be extended for 30 days, although no truce has been agreed upon yet.
Kyiv has faced increasing pressure from Trump to accept territorial concessions as part of a deal with Moscow to end the conflict.
Crimea has emerged as a particularly contentious issue.
Zelensky has consistently rejected the notion of recognizing the peninsula as part of Russia, stating to reporters in Kyiv on Friday: “Our position is unchanged – only the Ukrainian people have the right to decide which territories are Ukrainian.”
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He also referred to statements made by Trump in an interview with Time magazine, where the US president asserted that “Crimea will stay with Russia.”
“What President Trump says is true, and I agree with him in that today we do not have enough weapons to regain control over the Crimean peninsula,” Zelensky acknowledged.
While Washington’s peace plan has not been publicly disclosed, reports indicate that it suggests Russia retain the territory it has acquired—a condition favorable to Moscow.
The agency noted significant differences between the two sides.
The US proposal includes legal acceptance of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and de facto recognition of Russian control over other occupied areas, including all of Luhansk.
In contrast, the Europeans and Ukrainians are willing to discuss the status of occupied Ukrainian territory only after a ceasefire is established.
Additionally, the US plan excludes Ukraine’s membership in the NATO military alliance, according to reports.
