Trump calls on Russia and Ukraine to hold direct talks 'at very high levels'

The president's comments came after he said Crimea "will stay with Russia," a position backed by the mayor of Kyiv who conceded that his country may have to give up territory.

President Donald Trump called on Russia and Ukraine to hold direct ceasefire negotiations for the first time in years, urging the two sides to build on Friday’s meeting between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.

“A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off,’” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!”

Representatives for Russia and Ukraine did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday night on Trump’s post.

The two countries have not held direct talks since the early days of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy aide to Putin, called the meeting between the Russian leader and Witkoff, who also has participated in ceasefire talks with Ukraine, “productive.”