The former U.S. president suggests negotiations between the two nations are making significant progress.
On Friday, former President Donald Trump made the announcement via social media that Russia and Ukraine are "very close" to concluding a peace agreement that could bring an end to the conflict. Shortly after U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Trump made the remarks. According to Russian news agency TASS, Putin’s aide, Yuri Shako, described the three-hour meeting as "constructive" and "very useful," though no specific details were shared.
Trump wrote, "They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet at the highest levels to finalize it" on Truth Social after arriving in Rome for Pope Francis' funeral. He went on to say that "most of the major points" had already been agreed upon, but he didn't give any additional details. Trump urged both nations to "stop the bloodshed" and bring the war to an end.
According to Shako, "the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of Russia and Ukraine" was the focus of the discussions. Kickoff has not yet issued a public statement regarding the talks.
Shako also noted that the meeting helped bring the U.S. and Russia closer not just on Ukraine, but on several other international matters as well.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with former President Donald Trump in Rome on Saturday, according to Zelenskyy’s spokesman, Serbia Nykyforov. No further details about the meeting were provided.
Steven Cheung, White House communications director, confirmed the meeting, saying, "President Trump and President Zelenskyy met privately today and had a very productive discussion. More details about the meeting will follow."
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told CBS News on Thursday that Russia is "ready to reach a deal," though he noted that "specific points" still need to be finalized. Speaking on CBS's *Face the Nation*, Lavrov added, "The President of the United States believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction," but declined to elaborate further.
Earlier, Zelenskyy stressed that the war in Ukraine cannot be resolved without increased international pressure on Russia. "The lack of sufficient pressure allows Russia to import missiles and other weapons—and to use them here, in Europe," he said. Zelenskyy reiterated that Russia must "immediately and unconditionally" agree to a full ceasefire.
Zelenskyy also mentioned that Ukraine had accepted a U.S.-proposed ceasefire 45 days ago and directly proposed to Russia a halt to attacks on civilian targets. However, Russia rejected the offer.
The war, which began in February 2022 when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion, continues. On April 19, Putin declared an "Easter truce," ordering Russian forces to halt operations until midnight on April 20. However, both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire. Zelenskyy said he urged Russia to extend the truce beyond Easter, but the request was denied. On April 21, Russia announced it had resumed its "special military operation."
The Trump administration has indicated that Ukraine may have to consider territorial concessions as part of any future peace deal. In a recent *Time* magazine interview published April 25, Trump stated that Crimea would remain under Russian control.
"Crimea will stay with Russia," Trump said. "Zelenskyy understands that, and everybody understands it’s been with them for a long time."
Trump also questioned Ukraine’s pursuit of NATO membership, suggesting that discussions about Ukraine joining NATO contributed to the start of the conflict.
"I think what caused the war to start was when they started talking about joining NATO," he said. "If that weren’t brought up, there would have been a much better chance that it wouldn’t have started."
Zelenskyy has repeatedly made it clear that Ukraine will not recognize any Russian control over its territories.
Trump also stated on April 18 that the United States would cease its efforts to mediate peace if either side refuses to cooperate.