Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Tuesday, after the White House said it was very optimistic about reaching a deal to end the Ukraine war.
US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has acted as an outside adviser in diplomatic talks, is also expected to attend.
The summit comes after two days of negotiations in Florida between Ukrainian and US officials, including Witkoff and Kushner, aimed at refining a US-backed peace plan which had been viewed as favourable to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the talks as constructive, but said there are some tough issues that still have to be worked through.
Speaking after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday, Zelensky highlighted Kyiv's priority of maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty and securing strong security guarantees.
Witkoff also held talks with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other key EU leaders. The draft peace deal has undergone significant revisions, and the US administration expressed optimism about its potential.
The complexities of territorial concessions and security guarantees pose substantial hurdles in the negotiations, with Kyiv firmly opposed to ceding any territory.
As the talks approach, Russian officials have made bold claims regarding territorial gains in Ukraine, although Ukrainian sources dispute these assertions, underscoring the ongoing tension.
With challenges ahead, the international community watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough that could finally lead to peace in the region.
