US special envoy optimistic about approaching deal to end Russia-Ukraine conflict

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said "a lot of progress" had been made in the Ukraine peace talks, and negotiations were down to one last issue.

Witkoff is travelling to Moscow later today for further dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the conflict in Ukraine during an impromptu appearance a breakfast meeting with panelists including NATO Secretary Mark Rutte and Finnish President Alexander Stubb at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Witkoff heralded progress in US-broked peace talks between Russia and Ukraine and expressed confidence a deal to end the war could be achieved. He also detailed US plans to help rebuild Ukraine's economy.

He said: "I think we made a lot of prgress. I think in the beginning of this process there was a little bit of confusion. I was going to Moscow quite a bit but I think it was important that we go there because we're at the end now and I actually am optimistic. But prosperity is really big. All night long we spent, at dinner last night, talking about the upward trajectory for the Ukrainian economy and financial system, capital markets, the jobs, the president has talked about a tariff free zone from Ukraine that I think would be game changing. You'll see industry move into that area in a huge way."

NATO Secretary General Rutte also expressed confidence US President Donald Trump was committed to Ukrainian independence and sovereignty.

The United States has held talks with Russia, and separately with Kyiv and European leaders, on various different drafts of a plan for ending the war in Ukraine.

However, no deal has yet been reached despite US President Donald Trump's repeated promises to clinch one.

Trump earlier told an audience at the WEF, the leaders of Russia and Ukraine would be "stupid" if they failed to come together and get a deal done.

US envoy Witkoff is travelling to Moscow today for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin said he would meet Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in Moscow to "continue dialogue on the Ukrainian settlement" as well as Trump's "Board of Peace" idea and the possibility of using frozen Russian assets.