Trump indicates nearing Ukraine deal following envoy's meeting with Putin
U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, engaged in a three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday, focusing on a U.S. strategy to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.
TroibNews 
U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, had a three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday to discuss a U.S. plan aimed at resolving the Ukraine crisis. Trump stated afterward that both parties were "very close to a deal," despite evident differences in their perspectives.
In a social media update following the discussions, Trump characterized the day’s negotiations as productive and urged for a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Moscow to finalize an agreement.
Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine have not occurred since the early stages of the conflict that began in February 2022.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, who participated in Friday’s discussions and later briefed reporters, described the meeting as constructive and highly beneficial.
"This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues," he remarked. "As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine."
There was no immediate response from Witkoff. His recent trip follows previous discussions earlier this week, during which Ukrainian and European officials reportedly opposed some of Washington's proposals to address the conflict.
The U.S. peace proposal presented by Witkoff reportedly entails formal American recognition of Russia's control over Crimea, as well as de facto recognition of Russian control over regions of southern and eastern Ukraine currently held by its forces.
In contrast, a European and Ukrainian document reviewed by Reuters postpones the discussion of territorial issues until after a ceasefire and does not mention recognizing Russian control over any Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly declined to acknowledge Crimea as part of Russia, asserting that doing so would breach Ukraine's Constitution.
Moreover, there are ongoing disagreements over the lifting of sanctions on Russia, security guarantees for Ukraine, and the future size of Ukraine's military.
The Trump administration has cautioned that the U.S. will disengage from negotiations unless tangible progress is achieved.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
In a social media update following the discussions, Trump characterized the day’s negotiations as productive and urged for a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Moscow to finalize an agreement.
Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine have not occurred since the early stages of the conflict that began in February 2022.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, who participated in Friday’s discussions and later briefed reporters, described the meeting as constructive and highly beneficial.
"This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues," he remarked. "As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine."
There was no immediate response from Witkoff. His recent trip follows previous discussions earlier this week, during which Ukrainian and European officials reportedly opposed some of Washington's proposals to address the conflict.
The U.S. peace proposal presented by Witkoff reportedly entails formal American recognition of Russia's control over Crimea, as well as de facto recognition of Russian control over regions of southern and eastern Ukraine currently held by its forces.
In contrast, a European and Ukrainian document reviewed by Reuters postpones the discussion of territorial issues until after a ceasefire and does not mention recognizing Russian control over any Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly declined to acknowledge Crimea as part of Russia, asserting that doing so would breach Ukraine's Constitution.
Moreover, there are ongoing disagreements over the lifting of sanctions on Russia, security guarantees for Ukraine, and the future size of Ukraine's military.
The Trump administration has cautioned that the U.S. will disengage from negotiations unless tangible progress is achieved.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
