Trump says Putin and Witkoff made 'great progress' in their meeting in Russia

President Trump said on social media that his envoy, Steve Witkoff, had made "great progress" during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday.

The meeting came ahead of a U.S.-imposed Friday deadline for Russia to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine or face new economic penalties.

"My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Great progress was made!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come."