Steven Witkoff, a real estate developer and friend of the president’s, lacks diplomatic experience, but the new administration might view that as a plus.

President Trump has hailed talks between Vladimir Putin and the US Special Envoy Stephen Witkoff, saying there was "a very good chance" the war could come to an end

Russia's president welcomed the idea of a ceasefire but warned Ukraine might use a 30-day truce to regroup and questioned how it would be enforced, as President Trump's envoy visited Moscow.

The Russian president agrees fighting must end, but calls for the removal of the "root causes" of the war he launched.

Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned the United States-brokered proposal for a ceasefire in the Ukraine war on Thursday, setting forth tough conditions and demanding concessions from Kyiv despite saying he supported the proposal in theory.