U.S. officials signaled cautious optimism on Russia-Ukraine peace talks on Thursday, as diplomatic meetings in Davos unfolded alongside continued fighting in Ukraine and unresolved core disputes between the two sides.
The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, amid ongoing U.S. efforts to broker an end to the nearly four-year war.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said at the Davos forum that progress had been made in negotiations, while stressing that discussions were still ongoing.
“I think we’ve got it down to one issue, and we have discussed iterations of that issue, and that means it’s solvable,” Witkoff told an audience.
He added that an agreement would depend on whether both sides were willing to reach a solution.
Witkoff said he would travel to Moscow later in the day with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, for meetings that could include talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He said the delegation would then continue discussions in Abu Dhabi through military-to-military working groups.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia appreciated Witkoff’s diplomatic engagement but declined to comment on the envoy’s assessment that talks were nearing resolution.
Zelenskyy’s spokesman said the Ukrainian leader had arrived in Davos and was scheduled to address the forum after meeting Trump.
Zelenskyy has previously said he would attend only if there was a realistic opportunity to reach an agreement that included security guarantees and funding for Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction.
While the remaining sticking point was not publicly identified, Zelenskyy has previously cited disputes over Russian-controlled territory, areas under Ukrainian control claimed by Moscow, and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The United States has held separate talks with Russia, Ukraine, and European leaders on multiple draft proposals, but no agreement has yet been finalized.
The diplomatic push comes as Russian missile and drone attacks this week left large parts of Kyiv without electricity and heating during sub-zero temperatures.
Ukrainian officials also reported that an overnight drone strike in Odesa hit a residential building, killing a 17-year-old.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said peace talks were important but stressed that Ukraine still requires military support as the conflict continues.