On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Steve Witcoff, the U.S. special envoy, in Moscow. According to the Kremlin, Putin now plans to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine with President Trump. Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, stated that there is reason for cautious optimism regarding negotiations to settle the ongoing war. He echoed Michael Waltz, President Trump’s national security adviser, who also expressed optimism late Thursday. Peskov’s comments indicate Russia’s eagerness to continue negotiating with the U.S. on the Ukraine conflict.

Before the meeting with Witcoff, Putin showed no urgency in accepting the offer of a 30-day truce made by Ukraine and the U.S. earlier this week. He expressed openness to the proposal but also suggested that he would push for negotiations on various issues, such as Western arms shipments to Ukraine, which could either delay a deal or render it impossible.

On Friday, Peskov reported that Witcoff provided further information to Russia and that Putin offered his own information and signals for President Trump. Peskov stated that the outcome of the diplomatic negotiations will only be clear after Witcoff briefs Trump, and after the Russian and American leaders have communicated via phone. The timing of the Trump-Putin call has yet to be determined.

Peskov’s comments highlight Putin’s apparent attempt to balance his desire to maintain a positive relationship with Trump while pushing for significant concessions from both the West and Ukraine. While Trump has expressed his desire to end the war quickly, Putin believes that time is on his side. He is confident that an unconditional ceasefire would not be in Ukraine’s best interests.

There has been no immediate comment from Witcoff or the Trump administration regarding the meeting with Putin. Witcoff, who is officially the president’s Middle East envoy, has also taken on a crucial role as a liaison with Russia. He previously met with Putin for three hours last month to finalize a prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States.

Ukraine has already expressed its support for the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, but only if Russia reciprocates. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Putin’s conditions during his news conference were so restrictive that it seemed unlikely for the proposal to succeed.

However, U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz later stated on Fox News that the White House holds some cautious optimism regarding the possibility of a ceasefire. He added that Witcoff would bring back information for evaluation and decision-making by President Trump. Waltz acknowledged that both sides would have demands and need to make compromises.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/world/europe/russia-ukraine-putin.html