U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Russia and Ukraine are “very close to a peace agreement,” following talks held in Moscow between his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The negotiations, in which Ukraine did not participate, were described by the Kremlin as “constructive.”
Speaking to reporters during his stay in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, Trump called the day “successful for the negotiations,” adding that “most of the key points have been agreed upon.”
He urged both Moscow and Kyiv to meet “at very high levels” to finalize the agreement.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted cautiously, emphasizing in his Friday evening speech that “real pressure on Russia” is necessary to achieve a ceasefire without conditions. In an interview with the BBC, he left the door open for discussions on territorial issues, provided that Moscow agrees to a “full and unconditional ceasefire.”
Recent reports suggest that the American peace proposal involves Ukraine ceding large portions of territory currently controlled by Russia, including Crimea — a move Trump has reportedly supported, stating that Crimea should remain under Russian control. This division stands in stark contrast to Kyiv’s official position.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory. The prospect of a peace agreement remains uncertain, especially as negotiations without Ukraine’s direct involvement raise concerns over its role in the decision-making process.
