President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced cautious optimism about progress in peace negotiations on Aug. 6, citing signs of a potential shift in Russia’s stance on its war in Ukraine following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he believes there is a strong likelihood that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will agree to his proposed initiative to hold a joint meeting in the near future.

Donald Trump told allies that he planned to meet Vladimir Putin next week, followed by a three-way meeting that would include Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, as hopes grew of an end to the conflict that has raged across Europe for the past three years.