Moscow – Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a direct message to former U.S. President Donald Trump through U.S. Special Envoy Steve Vitkoff, according to the Kremlin. The meeting, which took place late Thursday evening, was confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov after Vitkoff’s departure from Moscow.
Cautious Optimism for a Ceasefire
During the talks, Vitkoff shared additional information with Russian officials regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. While Putin did not disclose details of his message to Trump, Peskov hinted at “cautious optimism” for a peaceful resolution to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Kremlin has signaled that both Putin and Trump are expected to speak by phone soon, with an in-person meeting planned later, pending Vitkoff’s report back to Washington.
Conditions for a Ceasefire
Even before the U.S. envoy’s visit, Putin had already expressed conditional support for a 30-day ceasefire proposal from Washington. However, he raised several concerns during a press conference, suggesting that negotiations remain complex.
Meanwhile, Peskov dismissed speculation that Keith Kellogg, initially chosen by Trump as the U.S. special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, had been pushed aside at Moscow’s request.
With diplomatic channels actively engaged, all eyes are now on the upcoming Trump-Putin conversation, which could shape the next phase of the Ukraine conflict.
