A meeting between Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin could take place as early as next week, a top Kremlin aide said Thursday, as the US president’s deadline for Moscow to show progress in ending its war in Ukraine looms.

The Kremlin confirmed Russian President Vladimir Putin expects to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump next week. Both sides have agreed on an as-yet undisclosed venue and continue working on their agenda. The announcement came a day after Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin for nearly three hours of talks.

Expectations for a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv are muted, despite the US president's threat of sweeping sanctions.