The Kremlin announced Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has communicated with U.S. President Donald Trump through Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, regarding a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. Following late-night talks in Moscow with Witkoff, Putin expressed “cautious optimism” about the U.S. initiative, which Ukraine has already endorsed, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Peskov told reporters that Putin sent “signals” to Trump via Witkoff and received insights into U.S. perspectives on the conflict. “There are grounds for cautious optimism,” Peskov said, referencing Putin’s Thursday remarks where he voiced support for Trump’s settlement push but raised questions requiring joint resolution. “The president expressed solidarity with Mr. Trump’s position, though much work remains,” he added.

The discussions follow Witkoff’s arrival in Moscow on Thursday, part of a U.S. effort to broker a truce in the three-year war. Putin’s conditional backing—highlighted by his call for a lasting peace addressing Russia’s concerns—suggests a willingness to engage, tempered by strategic caveats. Peskov noted that the timing of a direct Putin-Trump phone call would be determined after Witkoff briefs Trump, signaling ongoing diplomatic momentum.

Kyiv’s acceptance of the 30-day ceasefire proposal, forged in earlier U.S.-Ukraine talks, places the onus on Russia to reciprocate. While Putin’s stance offers hope, his insistence on resolving “root causes” hints at complex negotiations ahead, balancing optimism with Russia’s longstanding demands.