On Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the details of an American proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. During this meeting, Putin expressed his support for the truce in principle but highlighted numerous specifics that must be clarified prior to any formal agreement. He also requested Witkoff deliver additional messages to US President Donald Trump.
Trump, who described discussions with Putin as “very good and productive,” hinted at a promising possibility for concluding the conflict, stating on his Truth Social platform that there’s a significant chance to end what he termed a “horrible, bloody war.” While Ukraine—with its military facing significant pressure on the front lines—has already shown support for the ceasefire proposal, the situation remains complex.
Experts suggest that Putin may be hesitant to embrace a ceasefire while the Russian military, which has reportedly gained momentum and is now close to seizing key territories, holds an advantage. Trump commented on the alarming situation regarding “thousands” of Ukrainian troops being surrounded by Russian forces. However, Ukraine’s General Staff dismissed claims about encircled troops in the Kursk region as fabrications aimed at political pressure.
Peskov mentioned the possibility of a phone call between Putin and Trump to address unresolved ceasefire issues once Witkoff delivers the messages to Washington, indicating both sides acknowledge the need for such communication. He expressed cautious optimism about the ceasefire proposal, noting the need for further discussions and that the Russian President demonstrated solidarity with Trump’s approach.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, expressing a sense of cautious optimism about progress toward a potential resolution. Following the Group of Seven meeting in Canada, Rubio indicated that Trump administration officials would spend the weekend reviewing developments from Witkoff’s meeting with Putin.
While immediate agreement on the ceasefire eluded them, Rubio stated that they felt closer to ending the conflict. Upcoming discussions in Washington are expected to tackle the technicalities of a potential ceasefire. However, with numerous contentious issues remaining, a resolution may take time given the varying positions of Moscow and Kyiv.
Furthermore, recent developments indicate a notable shift in relations between the US and Russia since Trump’s return to office. Trump, who previously vowed to resolve the conflict swiftly, has adjusted his expectations but continues to apply pressure on both parties to engage in peace negotiations. Additionally, recent reports from Moscow highlighted Russian defence systems intercepting Ukrainian drone attacks, causing minor property damage but no reported injuries.