The White House said on Monday it is increasingly optimistic about reaching a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine, as President Donald Trump’s special envoy travels to Moscow following talks with Ukrainian officials in Florida.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the administration believes momentum is building, with negotiations continuing through what she described as a form of “shuttle diplomacy” between Kyiv and Moscow.
“The administration feels very optimistic,” Leavitt said.
“Just yesterday … they had very good talks with the Ukrainians in Florida. And now, of course, Special Envoy Witkoff is on his way to Russia. This is the shuttle diplomacy you’ve seen from this administration — where we speak equally with both sides.”
Leavitt added that Trump’s foreign policy team, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Envoy Steve Witkoff, has been “working hard” to refine a written framework presented to both sides in recent weeks.
“We’ve put points on paper. Those points have been very much refined,” she said, but declined to discuss details, saying negotiators must be allowed to continue their work.
Witkoff is scheduled to meet Russian officials this week in Moscow as part of ongoing discussions over proposed revisions to the U.S. peace plan.
The remarks come as pressure builds from European leaders and Kyiv for guarantees that any settlement respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and security needs.
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South Africa's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered an unexpected setback after the national team failed to depart for Mexico as scheduled on Sunday (31 May) because some players and officials had not yet received their visas.
Five people have died after a mine shaft collapsed during an illegal mining operation in southwestern China, state media reported on Sunday (31 May), just days after the country's deadliest mining disaster in more than a decade claimed at least 82 lives.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) football team retained its Champions League title at Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday night, after overcoming Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw following extra time.
U.S. rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, performed to a crowd of 118,000 people in Istanbul on Saturday night, marking his first concert in Europe in more than a decade, despite being barred from performing in several countries over past antisemitic remarks.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
South Africa's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered an unexpected setback after the national team failed to depart for Mexico as scheduled on Sunday (31 May) because some players and officials had not yet received their visas.
Five people have died after a mine shaft collapsed during an illegal mining operation in southwestern China, state media reported on Sunday (31 May), just days after the country's deadliest mining disaster in more than a decade claimed at least 82 lives.
Thousands of people gathered across Colombo on Saturday night (30 May) as Sri Lanka's capital came alive with light and colour for Vesak, one of the most important festivals in the Buddhist calendar.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) football team retained its Champions League title at Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday night, after overcoming Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw following extra time.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda is continuing to spread, with 263 confirmed cases and 43 deaths reported as of 30 May.
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