US President Donald Trump has praised talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow as “good and productive,” raising hopes for a ceasefire in Ukraine.Following the meeting, the Kremlin expressed “cautious optimism,” while Trump stated on Truth Social that the negotiations offered “a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.”However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains skeptical, accusing Putin of deliberately stalling peace efforts. He warned that Russia’s proposed conditions were designed to obstruct diplomacy rather than advance peace.UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also expressed doubts, emphasizing that Putin “cannot be allowed to play games” with ceasefire negotiations. He is set to lead a video call with 25 world leaders to discuss a potential peacekeeping mission should the ceasefire move forward.Meanwhile, the White House remains optimistic. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed that Trump is pressuring Putin to “do the right thing,” and that the two sides have “never been this close to peace.”Despite this, tensions persist. Russia claims Ukrainian troops in Kursk are “isolated,” while Ukraine denies any such encirclement, calling the reports “false and fabricated.”As G7 leaders convene in Quebec, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that negotiations—not social media statements—will determine the war’s end. With Russia yet to fully commit to the US-backed ceasefire, the prospect of peace remains uncertain.
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