Russian forces in Ukraine have made only small territorial gains this year amid steady resistance from Kyiv’s military, undercutting President Vladimir Putin’s assertions that his army has gained the upper hand in the war.

President Trump said ceasefire negotiations would begin "immediately," but the Kremlin has expressed little eagerness for a ceasefire in the war it began.

Peskov added that for Russia, “the key and most fundamental issue” is determining who, on the Ukrainian side, would be authorized to sign any agreements resulting from the talks. He claimed that during negotiations in Istanbul,

If Putin thinks he can win it all, why negotiate? Here are five takeaways from the call. Before the call, Trump had demanded an immediate, unconditional ceasefire. Ukraine had accepted. Putin had not,