The United States has held what it describes as a "good and productive" discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump announced on Friday.
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Putin late on Thursday to deliberate on Washington’s proposed ceasefire agreement, reports The Washington Post.
The Kremlin had initially expressed scepticism, with Putin himself raising several concerns ahead of the talks.
However, following the meeting, the Russian leader appeared somewhat reassured. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that Putin’s stance had moved towards greater alignment with Trump’s position.
Amid these discussions, Trump urged Putin to refrain from escalating hostilities in Kursk.
In response, Putin stated that Russian forces would spare Ukrainian soldiers stationed there, provided they surrendered.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed suggestions that his troops in Kursk are surrounded, merely acknowledging that they are facing "difficult conditions."
Prior to the US-Russia talks, Zelensky criticised Putin’s objections to the proposed ceasefire, accusing him of deliberately introducing conditions designed to complicate and prolong negotiations.
According to Zelensky, Putin remains the only party actively seeking to prolong the war and obstruct diplomacy.
Following the meeting, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express optimism, stating that there is a "very good chance" for ending the "horrific and bloody war."
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautioned against allowing Putin to "play games" with the ceasefire proposal.
Despite Washington’s optimism, a BBC report suggests that numerous unresolved issues persist between Ukraine and Russia.
While large portions of Ukraine remain under Russian control, Ukrainian forces have also seized parts of Kursk from Russia, complicating ceasefire negotiations. Analysts remain sceptical about the prospect of a near-term resolution.
Earlier this week, Ukraine signalled its willingness to accept the proposed US-brokered ceasefire. However, Moscow has yet to formally endorse the agreement.
On Thursday, Putin remarked that while a ceasefire is "the right approach and we support it," certain "subtle issues" still need to be addressed.
Keir Starmer has accused the Kremlin of "disregarding" the ceasefire proposal, arguing that this demonstrates Putin’s lack of genuine commitment to peace.
He emphasised that if Russia ultimately agrees to negotiations, the international community must ensure a ceasefire that guarantees lasting stability.
Conversely, should Moscow refuse to engage, Starmer advocated for increased economic pressure on Russia.
According to BBC reports, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently occupies approximately 20% of the country’s territory. The war has taken a devastating toll, with over 95,000 Russian combatants reported killed.
Ukraine last disclosed its casualty figures in December 2024, when Zelensky acknowledged the deaths of 43,000 personnel, including military officers. However, Western analysts believe the actual number could be significantly higher.
