US President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine are “very close to a deal” that would end their three-year war, after his envoy met with President Vladimir Putin on Friday in talks Moscow said were “constructive and very useful.

Ukraine has appeared to split over the return of Crimea despite Volodymyr Zelensky doubling down on his commitment to securing their territory. Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko instead suggested the ex-Soviet state may have to give up land to Russia.

The fourth meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff brought the sides “closer” on Ukraine as well as on other geopolitical issues,