US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Russia and Ukraine are “very close to a deal” that could bring an end to their three-year war, following high-level talks between his special envoy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Trump made the statement on Truth Social shortly after arriving in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis.
“A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off,’” Trump posted, signaling optimism that an agreement could be finalized soon.
This potential breakthrough comes after Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, spent three hours meeting Putin at the Kremlin on Friday. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov described the talks as “constructive and very useful,” adding that positions between the US and Russia were “further brought closer together,” not just on Ukraine but on other international matters as well.
Witkoff’s visit marks his fourth trip to Russia since Trump returned to the White House in January, with the US president aiming to end the Ukraine war within his first 100 days in office. Direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow have not taken place since the early weeks of Russia’s February 2022 invasion, and any new dialogue would likely require significant groundwork.
However, serious obstacles remain. Reports suggest two competing visions for a peace deal have emerged. Ukraine, backed by its European allies, favors a ceasefire followed by negotiations on territory, alongside NATO-style security guarantees for Kyiv. In contrast, the Trump administration’s proposal reportedly includes US recognition of Crimea as Russian territory, robust security guarantees for Ukraine, a commitment that Ukraine will not join NATO, and the lifting of sanctions against Russia.
Recognizing Russia’s control of Crimea, annexed illegally in 2014, would represent a major shift in US policy and is seen as unacceptable by Ukraine and its European partners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected the idea, stating there is “nothing to talk about” if it involves conceding Crimea, which is protected under Ukraine’s constitution.
Adding to the pressure, the US warned last week that it could abandon the peace efforts “within days” if negotiations fail to progress. As the diplomatic window narrows, the world watches closely to see whether the two sides can bridge their deep divisions.
