Trump Says Russia, Ukraine ‘Very Close’ to Reaching Peace Deal

This comes after special envoy Stephen Witkov, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia on Friday.

Russia and Ukraine are “very close” to reaching a peace deal that will end the war in Ukraine, President Donald Trump said on social media on Friday.

His post comes from the meeting of special envoy Stephen Witkov in Russia on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov described the three-hour meeting as “constructive” and “very useful”, but did not provide details.

“They are very close to the deal, and both sides should meet at a very high level to “finish it,” Trump said in the Social Post of Truth after arriving in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral.

Trump said “a large portion of the key points” had been agreed, but he did not provide details, but called on both countries to “stop the bloodshed” and end the war completely.

Ushakov said the meeting focused on “the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between the Russian Federation and representatives of Ukraine.” Witkov has not yet commented publicly on the meeting.

“The conversation has allowed Russia and the US to bring their positions closer to Ukraine, as well as many other international issues,” Ushakov said.

Ukrainian President Voldymi Zelenki held talks with Trump in Rome on Saturday, his spokesman Seresi Nikiforv said. He did not provide details of the meeting.

“President Trump and President Zelensky had a very productive discussion today. Details of the meeting continue,” said Stephen Chen, White House Communications Director.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told CBS News on Thursday that Russia is “ready to reach the deal,” but “still have some specific points, elements of this contract that need to be tweaked.”

“I believe the US President believes we are moving in the right direction,” Lavrov told CBS News.

Zelensky previously stated that war “cannot be resolved without pressure,” as Russia agrees to an unconditional ceasefire.

“The lack of adequate pressure on Russia allows them to import such missiles and other weapons and use them here in Europe,” he said. “We argue that Russia must immediately and unconditionally agree to a complete ceasefire.”

Zelenskyy added that Ukraine had agreed to a US ceasefire proposal 45 days ago and “directly proposes” to Russia to halt strikes against civilian targets, but was rejected by Russia.

The war in Ukraine has been underway since Putin dispatched thousands of troops in February 2022 to completely invade thousands of troops.

Zelensky said he urged Russia to extend the truce beyond Easter, but was denied. Russian troops said on April 21 that they had resumed “special military operations” after the ceasefire ended.

The Trump administration signaled that Ukraine might need to make territorial concessions as part of an agreement with Russia to end the ongoing war. In an interview with Time Magazine, Trump said the Crimea Peninsula is under Russian control.

“Crimea will remain in Russia,” Trump said in an interview with Time, released on April 25th.

Trump also questioned Ukraine’s membership in NATO, saying that Ukraine’s push to enter NATO is a contributor to the current war.

“I think the war started when they started talking about joining NATO,” he said. “If it hadn’t grown, it wouldn’t have started.”

Zelenskyy reiterated his opposition to Ukraine and formally acknowledging Russia’s rule over any of its territory.

Trump told reporters on April 18 that the US government would abandon its efforts to mediate the end of the war if either side refuses to cooperate in reaching a peace deal.

Reuters and Ryan Morgan contributed to this report.