US President Donald Trump hinted at ‘big progress on Russia’ ahead of his meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. The somewhat cryptic remarks came even as special envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that Moscow had agreed to allow security protections for Kyiv during the Trump-Putin Summit in Alaska. The nearly three-hour-long meeting between the two heads ended without any major agreement on Friday — with Trump later courting controversy for aligning with the Kremlin.

“BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED! President DJT” he wrote on Truth Social.

Sources briefed on Moscow’s thinking told Reuters the US and Russian leaders have discussed proposals for Russia to relinquish tiny pockets of occupied Ukraine in exchange for Kyiv ceding a swathe of fortified land in the east and freezing the front lines elsewhere.

Putin greenlights special protection for Ukraine

Special US envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had agreed to allow allies to offer Ukraine a security guarantee — similar to the collective defense mandate followed by NATO members — as part of an eventual deal to end the over three-year-long war. Putin had discussed Ukraine and other concerns with President Donald Trump for nearly three hours on Friday.

“We were able to win the following concession: That the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in NATO,” told CNN.

Witkoff said it was the first time he had heard Putin agree to that.

European leaders, Zelensky to meet Trump

European leaders will join Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet Donald Trump in Washington, they said on Sunday, seeking to shore up Zelenskyy’s position as the US president presses Ukraine to accept a quick peace deal to end Europe’s deadliest war in 80 years. Trump is leaning on the Ukrainian leader to strike an agreement after he met Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in Alaska and emerged more aligned with Moscow on seeking a peace deal instead of a ceasefire first. Trump and Zelenskyy will meet on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)