Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to review details of the American proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, instructing him to convey Moscow’s stance to Washington, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.
During their Thursday evening meeting, Putin asked Witkoff to deliver additional messages to U.S. President Donald Trump, Peskov told reporters.
This came after the Russian leader expressed support for a ceasefire in principle but highlighted several key details that still require clarification before an agreement can be finalized.
Trump described the discussions with Putin as “very good and productive” and, in a post on Truth Social Friday morning, stated, “there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.” He also claimed that Ukrainian troops are surrounded by Russian forces.
Three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Ukraine is under heavy military pressure along parts of the front line.
Russia’s forces, backed by North Korean troops, have gained battlefield momentum and are close to eliminating Ukraine’s presence in Russia’s Kursk border region, which would mark a major setback for Kyiv.
Ukraine has already endorsed the ceasefire proposal, yet analysts suggest Putin may hesitate to commit, believing Russia holds a military advantage.
However, Ukraine’s General Staff rejected the notion that its forces in Kursk are encircled, calling such reports “fabricated by the Russians for political manipulation and to exert pressure on Ukraine and its partners.”
Trump and Putin May Speak Directly on Ceasefire
A phone call between Putin and Trump could be arranged once Witkoff delivers Moscow’s messages to Washington, Peskov said. “There is an understanding on both sides that such a call is needed,” he noted.
Commenting on the ongoing negotiations, Peskov described the ceasefire discussions as cautiously promising. “There are certainly some grounds for cautious optimism,” he stated. “A lot still needs to be done, but the president has shown solidarity with President Trump’s position.”
Steve Witkoff (Photo: Getty Images)Ceasefire Talks Could Take Weeks or Months
U.S. officials indicated that Washington plans to discuss technical aspects of the ceasefire proposal next week. However, with significant differences between Moscow and Kyiv’s demands, negotiations could stretch on for weeks or even months before a formal truce is reached.
Trump, who previously vowed to resolve the war in 24 hours, later adjusted his timeline, saying in January that he hoped to achieve peace within six months.
Putin’s conciliatory tone toward the White House signals a dramatic shift in U.S. relations with both Russia and Ukraine since Trump’s return to office in January. Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. pursued a policy of isolating Putin, a stark contrast to Trump’s current approach.
Trump’s Approach to Peace Talks
Trump has taken a hardline stance toward both Moscow and Kyiv, warning that he could impose punitive measures if they fail to engage with his peace efforts.
In a tense White House meeting on February 28, Trump questioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on whether Ukraine was truly committed to ending the war. At the same time, the Trump administration briefly cut off critical military aid and intelligence sharing, apparently as a way to push Kyiv into negotiations.
While Trump has floated the idea of increasing sanctions on Russia, his administration has also embraced several Kremlin positions, including the view that Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO and that Kyiv will likely not regain the nearly 20% of its territory currently occupied by Russian forces.
Moscow Faces New Ukrainian Drone Attacks
Even as ceasefire discussions continue, Russia’s capital came under attack early Friday, with Russian air defenses shooting down four Ukrainian drones, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
One of the drones damaged the roof of an apartment building just a few miles from the Kremlin, while several other structures sustained minor damage from drone fragments. Emergency officials reported that no injuries occurred in the attack.