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Kremlin says US-Russia talks were 'constructive' as ceasefire deadline looms Trump says 'great progress' made on Ukraine at US-Russia talks as ceasefire deadline looms
(about 3 hours later)
Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin met at the Kremlin on Wednesday morningSteve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin met at the Kremlin on Wednesday morning
The Kremlin has issued a vague statement following talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russia's Vladimir Putin, days before Donald Trump's deadline to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump says "great progress" has been made over Ukraine during talks between his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the two sides had exchanged "signals" as part of "constructive" talks in Moscow. Trump also described the meeting as "highly productive" in a post on his Truth Social platform.
The Kremlin earlier issued a vague statement about the talks, with foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov saying the two sides had exchanged "signals" as part of "constructive" talks in Moscow.
He also said Russia and the US had discussed the possibility of strategic cooperation - but refused to share more until Witkoff had briefed the US president.He also said Russia and the US had discussed the possibility of strategic cooperation - but refused to share more until Witkoff had briefed the US president.
The US envoy boarded a flight to the US on Wednesday afternoon, according to Russian media. The meeting came days before Trump's deadline to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The talks appeared cordial despite Trump's mounting irritation with the lack of progress in negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. Trump said he had briefed some of America's European allies following the talks.
In images shared by Russian outlets, Witkoff was seen walking around central Moscow with Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev on Wednesday morning. "Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," he said.
Later, images showed Putin and Witkoff - who have met several times before - smiling and shaking hands in a gilded hall at the Kremlin. The discussions between Putin and Witkoff appeared cordial despite Trump's mounting irritation with the lack of progress in negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
There was no immediate comment from the US or Ukraine following the talks, which lasted over three hours. Images shared by Russian outlets showed Putin and Witkoff - who have met several times before - smiling and shaking hands in a gilded hall at the Kremlin.
The US president has said Russia could face hefty sanctions or see secondary sanctions imposed against all those who trade with it if it doesn't take steps to end the "horrible war" with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later said he had spoken to Trump about Witkoff's visit, with European leaders also on the call. "The war must end," he said.
Shortly after Witkoff's departure from Moscow, the White House said Trump had signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil. Trump has said Russia could face hefty sanctions or see secondary sanctions imposed against all those who trade with it if it doesn't take steps to end the war.
Shortly after Witkoff's departure from Moscow, the White House said Trump had signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil. The tariff would come into force on 27 August.
Earlier this week, the US president accused India of not caring "how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine".Earlier this week, the US president accused India of not caring "how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine".
Before Wednesday's talks, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, warned that Russia would only make serious moves towards peace if it began to run out of money. Before Wednesday's talks, Zelensky warned that Russia would only make serious moves towards peace if it began to run out of money.
He welcomed the threat of tougher US sanctions and tariffs on nations buying Russian oil.
Expectations are muted for a settlement by Friday, and Russia has continued its large-scale air attacks on Ukraine despite Trump's threats of sanctions.Expectations are muted for a settlement by Friday, and Russia has continued its large-scale air attacks on Ukraine despite Trump's threats of sanctions.
Before taking office in January, Trump claimed he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in a day. He failed, and his rhetoric towards Russia has since hardened.Before taking office in January, Trump claimed he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in a day. He failed, and his rhetoric towards Russia has since hardened.
"We thought we had [the war] settled numerous times, and then President Putin goes out and starts launching rockets into some city like Kyiv and kills a lot of people in a nursing home or whatever," he said last month."We thought we had [the war] settled numerous times, and then President Putin goes out and starts launching rockets into some city like Kyiv and kills a lot of people in a nursing home or whatever," he said last month.
Three rounds of talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul have failed to bring the war closer to and end, three-and-a-half years after Moscow launched its full-invasion.Three rounds of talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul have failed to bring the war closer to and end, three-and-a-half years after Moscow launched its full-invasion.
Moscow's military and political preconditions for peace remain unacceptable to Kyiv and to its Western partners. The Kremlin has also repeatedly turned down Kyiv's requests for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin.Moscow's military and political preconditions for peace remain unacceptable to Kyiv and to its Western partners. The Kremlin has also repeatedly turned down Kyiv's requests for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
Meanwhile, the US administration approved $200m (£150m) of additional military sales to Ukraine on Tuesday following a phone call between Zelensky and Trump, in which the two leaders also discussed defence cooperation and drone production.Meanwhile, the US administration approved $200m (£150m) of additional military sales to Ukraine on Tuesday following a phone call between Zelensky and Trump, in which the two leaders also discussed defence cooperation and drone production.
Ukraine has been using drones to hit Russia's refineries and energy facilities, while Moscow has focused its air attacks on Ukraine's cities.Ukraine has been using drones to hit Russia's refineries and energy facilities, while Moscow has focused its air attacks on Ukraine's cities.
The Kyiv City Military Administration said the toll of an attack on the city last week rose to 32 after a man died of his injuries. The strike was the deadliest on Kyiv since the start of the invasion.The Kyiv City Military Administration said the toll of an attack on the city last week rose to 32 after a man died of his injuries. The strike was the deadliest on Kyiv since the start of the invasion.
Ukrainian authorities on Wednesday reported that a Russian attack on a holiday camp in the central region of Zaporizhzhia left two dead and 12 wounded.Ukrainian authorities on Wednesday reported that a Russian attack on a holiday camp in the central region of Zaporizhzhia left two dead and 12 wounded.
"There's no military sense in this attack. It's just cruelty to scare people," Zelensky said."There's no military sense in this attack. It's just cruelty to scare people," Zelensky said.