BREAKING: Trump says ‘we have the makings of a deal’ on Russia-Ukraine war, says talks are in ‘final stages’

Reporters were briefly allowed into the room, where Zelensky and his delegation faced Trump and the US team, which included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

The session was cut short when Trump instructed aides to escort journalists out for lunch.

Afterward, Trump told reporters he believed both sides want the war to end and said the negotiations are in their final stages. “We have the makings of a deal,” he said, adding that he would follow up with a call to Russian President Vladimir Putin once the meeting concluded.

He also noted European nations have been supportive of the discussions and emphasized potential economic benefits for Ukraine if a resolution is reached.

Zelensky hoped the talks would bring peace “as quick as possible” and said the meeting focused on strategies to move forward with a 20-point plan his team and the US had developed. On questions regarding territorial concessions, he remained noncommittal, stating the issue would be discussed during the talks, according to the BBC.

Trump acknowledged the severity of the negotiations but stressed that both Kyiv and Moscow want to end the fighting. He warned that prolonging the conflict could result in millions of additional casualties, while a swift resolution could allow reconstruction and economic recovery to begin in Ukraine.