"Great progress has been made!" writes the American president on Truth Social about Witkoff's meeting with Putin in Moscow, which lasted for three hours.
"Everyone agrees that this war must end, and we will work towards it in the coming days and weeks," Trump continues, adding that he has informed his European allies.
However, the promised sanctions will still come into effect as planned, announces a high-ranking American official shortly afterwards, according to the news agency AFP.
Constructive meeting
The Kremlin also describes the meeting as constructive, without going into details.
A fairly useful and constructive conversation took place, says Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov about the meeting.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj says he spoke on the phone with Trump after the meeting in Moscow.
"European leaders were part of the conversation, and I thank each of them for their support," he says on social media.
According to information to The New York Times, Trump announced during the conversation that he will meet Putin in person next week. This will be followed up with another meeting where Zelenskyj will also participate, according to two anonymous sources who are said to be familiar with the plans.
High expectations
The expectations for Witkoff's meeting with Putin were high. Last week, Donald Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to be moved closer to Russia. He has also shortened the deadline for Russia to agree on a peace agreement with Ukraine from 50 to 10-12 days - otherwise, further American sanctions await.
This means that the deadline expires at the end of this week.
On Tuesday, Trump spoke on the phone with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj about potential economic sanctions against Russia, according to the media.
According to information to Financial Times, Trump is considering sanctions against the Russian so-called shadow fleet.
Trump "disappointed"
The American president has been frustrated over the difficulties in getting Russia to agree on a peace agreement in the Ukraine war.
I am disappointed with but not finished with Putin, said Trump in an interview with BBC in July.
Since then, the situation has hardly improved. Putin has consistently rejected demands for a ceasefire and instead intensified the offensive war in the neighboring country with even more extensive air strikes against cities and offensives along the front lines.
Trump has called the actions "disgusting" and accused Putin of "nonsense"
