The Russian president and Trump emissary held talks in Moscow days before the White House deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

New sanctions against Russia will still kick in on Friday, the White House said, even as President Donald Trump praised a meeting between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Vladimir Putin as “highly productive” – and said he was open to meeting the Russian leader as early as next week.

US President Donald Trump is planning to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week. A trilateral meeting involving the leaders of the US, Ukraine, and Russia may follow, The New York Times reports.