US President Donald Trump has praised talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin as "good and productive," offering a glimmer of hope for an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trump expressed optimism, stating, "There is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end."
The discussions, held on Thursday in Moscow, came after Ukraine accepted a US-proposed ceasefire deal, but Russia has yet to formally agree.
While Trump hailed the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticised Putin, accusing the Russian leader of manipulating the ceasefire proposal to prolong the conflict. Zelensky argued that Putin’s tough conditions for peace were simply an attempt to block meaningful negotiations.
Trump’s social media post highlighted the urgency of the situation, adding that he had requested Putin spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, who he claimed were "completely surrounded" by Russian forces in the Kursk region.
However, Ukraine’s armed forces denied these claims, calling them "false and fabricated," and reiterated that their troops had successfully regrouped in better defensive positions.
The Kremlin, for its part, has shown "cautious optimism" regarding the peace process, although Putin stated on Thursday that there were "nuances" to be worked out before any ceasefire could be agreed upon.
The Russian president’s conditions for peace have been described as "manipulative" by Zelensky, who continued to argue that Putin’s goal was to sabotage diplomacy by setting impossible terms from the outset.
In response to Trump’s request for the protection of Ukrainian troops, the Kremlin assured that any soldiers who surrender would be treated in accordance with international law.
However, Putin’s broader stance on the ceasefire has raised doubts, with the UK’s Sir Keir Starmer warning that Putin should not be allowed to "play games" with ceasefire proposals. Starmer added that, should the talks falter, Western nations must be ready to ramp up pressure on Russia.
The White House has maintained that the US and Russia are closer to a peaceful resolution than ever before. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that the talks in Moscow had been "productive," while also acknowledging Trump’s pressure on Putin to make the right decision.
Meanwhile, G7 leaders meeting in Quebec have expressed unified support for the US-proposed ceasefire, with Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stating that "the ball is now in Russia’s court."
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy also called for a ceasefire with "no conditions," highlighting the need for a lasting peace deal.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, Zelensky remains sceptical about Russia’s intentions, calling for stronger action from global powers, particularly the US, to compel Putin to end the war.
"Putin is lying about the true situation on the battlefield," Zelensky wrote, urging world leaders to step up pressure on Russia to prevent further bloodshed.
As the war continues, international leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, are working on developing a peacekeeping coalition, designed to deter future Russian aggression if the ceasefire holds.
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