Trump Envoy Meets Putin as Ukraine Peace Talks Show Progress

U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for three hours on Friday to discuss a U.S.-led plan to end the Ukraine war. Trump said on social media that the talks went well, declaring the sides "very close to a deal" and urging Kyiv and Moscow to meet directly to finalize it. "Most of the major points are agreed to," Trump posted after arriving in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral.

The meeting marked the first high-level contact in months amid ongoing conflict following Russia’s 2022 invasion. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, who joined the talks, called the meeting "constructive" and confirmed discussions on resuming direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations.

Real estate billionaire Witkoff, new to diplomacy, has become a key figure in Trump’s push for peace. His proposals reportedly include U.S. recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine—terms that Kyiv and European leaders oppose. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stressed that conceding Crimea would violate Ukraine’s constitution.

Tensions escalated just hours before the meeting when a car bomb killed a senior Russian officer, an attack Moscow blamed on Kyiv. Trump also criticized a deadly Russian missile strike on Kyiv this week, posting "Vladimir, STOP!" to social media.

Critics accuse Witkoff of echoing Russian narratives, though he insists Russia has no broader territorial ambitions. Meanwhile, differences remain over sanctions relief, Ukraine’s security guarantees, and its military future.