Trump Claims Ukraine Peace Deal ‘Closer Than Ever’ as Putin Frees American Teacher, Agrees to Three-Way Talks
Trump says the war in Ukraine is nearer to ending than at any point, as Putin releases jailed American Stephen Hubbard and Moscow signals readiness for talks—though fighting continues.
US President Donald Trump says the war in Ukraine is now “closer than ever” to ending, after a series of developments that together suggest the first real opening for negotiations in the conflict. The remarks came as both sides signaled they are ready to talk, though the fragility of the push for peace was underscored by continued fighting.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the release of jailed American Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher who was captured in Ukraine and imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary, during talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff [268518][267887]. The Kremlin said Russia is “in principle” ready to resume three-way talks next month [268518]. Witkoff praised the Russian leader during the meeting, telling Putin “you are a humanitarian” after the deal secured Hubbard’s freedom, while the Kremlin said Moscow is ready to resume talks on ending the war [268339].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would accept a ceasefire along the current front line—the boundary where the two armies are now fighting—and Putin agreed to three-way talks [268539]. The three statements together suggest the first real opening for negotiations in the conflict [268539].
However, the meeting between Putin and Witkoff ended without progress toward a ceasefire, and Putin dismissed any idea of a truce with Kyiv [268483]. The agreement to talk, paired with Russia’s low expectations, suggests Moscow is not ready to make concessions, and the Russian president does not feel under pressure right now to end the war [268184].
The fragility of the push for peace was on display as Russia and Ukraine launched major attacks on each other’s capitals, hours after Putin and Zelenskyy said they were ready to restart US-mediated talks [268512]. Both sides appear willing to negotiate while continuing to fight, using military pressure to strengthen their position at the table [268512].
Moscow is also pushing for a summit between Trump, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ending the war in Ukraine—without Kyiv or the European Union at the table [268515]. The proposal would put three of the world’s most powerful leaders in one room to settle the conflict, excluding the countries and institutions that have backed Ukraine [268515]. None of the three governments has confirmed the plan [268515].