U.S. envoy meets Putin as Trump claims Ukraine peace deal nearing completion

Steve Witkoff, a close aide to President Trump, travelled to Moscow on Friday to meet Vladimir Putin and discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Trump said the two sides were "very close to a deal." Putin told Witkoff that direct talks with Ukraine were possible. Russia's foreign minister said Moscow was ready for an agreement but that some issues still needed to be resolved. Ukrainian President Zelensky refused to give up Crimea, which Russia has held since 2014. Ukraine and several European countries have said they are cautious about any deal made between the US and Russia. Earlier that day, a senior Russian general was killed in a car bomb attack near Moscow. Trump called it "a good day in talks."