Rome, 26 April

President Donald Trump on Friday called for “very high-level” peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, claiming the two sides are “very close to a deal” to end the three-year war.

Posting on Truth Social shortly after arriving in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral, Trump said his envoy, Steve Witkoff, had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. “Most of the major points are agreed to,” Trump wrote. “Stop the bloodshed, NOW.”

The comments followed Trump’s controversial statement to Time magazine that “Crimea will stay with Russia,” pressuring Ukraine to concede territory. He also demanded President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “IMMEDIATELY” sign a mineral rights deal with the US.

Zelenskyy, asked about Trump’s Crimea stance, said he would not comment but repeated that recognising Russian control over Ukrainian land is a red line.

While Trump accuses Zelenskyy of stalling peace, European leaders blame Putin, whose forces continue attacking Ukrainian cities. On Friday, a Russian drone killed three civilians in southeastern Ukraine. Just a day earlier, a Russian strike on Kyiv killed 12 and injured 87.

Witkoff’s Friday meeting with Putin — their fourth since February — lasted three hours. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov called it “constructive.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed progress but noted key issues still need “fine-tuning.”

Trump, speaking before the funeral, said he wants peace “as fast as possible” but gave no deadline. A meeting with Zelenskyy in Rome remains uncertain, as Ukraine braces for more Russian attacks.