U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted a breakthrough in efforts to end the war in Ukraine after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, ahead of U.S.-mediated peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November.
Trump said he met privately with Dmitriev on Thursday after the Russian official attended a White House event alongside Ukrainian representatives, organised by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.
The president declined to reveal what they discussed but expressed optimism that an agreement to end the war in Ukraine could be reached soon.
A U.S. delegation is expected to mediate negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the conflict was close to being resolved and suggested that a potential agreement could extend beyond Ukraine to cover wider European security.
“It's going to be a big agreement, and it's going to involve more than Ukraine ... I could even say it might involve all of Europe. It's going to be a big, beautiful agreement, and everyone's going to be thrilled,” Trump said.
Trump has repeatedly predicted that an agreement to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two was near, although diplomatic efforts have gained momentum in recent weeks.
The president confirmed that he had not met with the Ukrainian delegation on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Trump envoy Jared Kushner said U.S. officials held “productive and substantive discussions” with Ukraine, NATO and European partners in Brussels on Thursday (5 November).
The talks focused on security guarantees for Ukraine and a broader European security framework.
In a social media post, Kushner outlined five main objectives being explored by negotiators: permanent security consultations, reliable crisis communications, greater military transparency, reciprocal measures to reduce escalation risks, and a lasting framework for European security and stability.
“Any arrangements must fully respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independent decision-making of every nation,” Kushner said. “Each country will retain authority over its own security and alliances, and no country would have a veto over another’s sovereign choices.
“NATO will remain central to European collective defence, and this initiative would build upon existing institutions and commitments.”
Dmitriev was among the officials attending a rare face-to-face gathering with Ukrainian representatives at the White House.
The event marked a six-day ceasefire in the Russian-controlled city of Oleshky, which First Lady Melania Trump helped negotiate. The temporary agreement expired on Sunday (1 November).
“We have chosen humanity over war,” the first lady said at the event. “We must use the courage we brought to Oleshky to find common ground through a shared concern for the suffering of innocent people.”
Melania Trump said she was “involved in every stage of the planning” of the ceasefire, including reviewing aerial images and assessing road conditions and access to hospitals.
President Trump, who did not attend the event, has previously praised his wife's involvement in the humanitarian effort. Speaking to reporters in October, he said “she does better than our professionals.”
Ukrainian lawmaker David Arakhamia and the country's human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, also attended the gathering. Both encouraged the Slovenian-born first lady to continue her peace initiatives.
Representatives from Russia and Ukraine presented Melania Trump with gifts of appreciation.
Dmitriev gave her a drawing featuring pink hearts from a girl in Oleshky, saying the child “chose to live with her family in Russia,” a reference to the dispute over Ukrainian children displaced to Russia.
“I love Melania,” the drawing read.
The Ukrainian delegation presented the first lady with a state award “for your brave heart, for saving our people, and for returning back Ukrainian children.”
Melania Trump also handed both delegations letters addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Dmitriev's visit marked the first in-person contact between Russian and U.S. officials since Tuesday's midterm elections, which saw Democrats take control of Congress from Republicans in a political setback for Trump.
The incoming Democratic majority, set to take office in January, is widely expected to push for increased assistance to Ukraine.
Democrats are also expected to scrutinise Trump's decision to reach a diesel agreement with Russia and ease certain sanctions against Moscow.
The president has stepped up his criticism of Zelenskyy in recent weeks, raising questions about Washington's approach to future negotiations.
Despite the Republican Party's electoral defeat, the Kremlin has expressed hope that Trump will continue his efforts to bring an end to the conflict.
Moscow has also said preparations are underway for a possible meeting between Putin, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, later this month.
Dmitriev previously met Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, at the White House in 2025. Former U.S. President Joe Biden had not invited Russian officials to the White House during his administration.
The Russian envoy has played a role in several diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives, including securing the release of American detainees held in Russia, facilitating the reunification of Ukrainian children with their families, and supporting the humanitarian operation in Oleshky.
His latest visit comes as diplomatic activity intensifies ahead of the Abu Dhabi talks next week, with Washington seeking progress towards an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
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