President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 25 for three hours of talks focused on Trump’s plan to end the Ukraine war, with the Kremlin describing the discussions as productive and helpful in bringing the two sides’ positions closer.

“This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues,” he told reporters.

Ushakov also confirmed that the discussion included the possibility of restarting direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, which have been frozen since the early weeks of the war that started in 2022.

Witkoff has become a central figure in the Trump administration’s push to broker a cease-fire in the Russia–Ukraine war, a conflict now in its fourth year and the deadliest in Europe since World War II.

His latest trip comes amid growing resistance from Ukrainian and European leaders to elements of the latest U.S. peace plan proposal, particularly provisions concerning NATO and the status of Russian-occupied territories.

“Crimea will stay with Russia,” Trump said, adding that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and “everybody understands that.”

In response to the U.S. plan, Ukraine and several European governments have proposed a counteroffer calling for a full and unconditional cease-fire, phased sanctions relief tied to Russian compliance, and the use of frozen Russian assets to help rebuild Ukraine.

Both Trump and Vance have warned that if neither side agrees to a deal soon, the United States may withdraw from its role as mediator.

Trump has expressed frustration with both sides.

He also took aim at Zelenskyy’s continued rejection of territorial concessions, calling it a roadblock to negotiations.