The Kremlin said it is “cautiously optimistic” about a ceasefire in Ukraine after a late-night meeting with the US envoy that will likely lead to a phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.

Steve Witkoff, Mr Trump’s negotiator, flew to Moscow for late night talks with the Russian president on Thursday after he rejected Washington’s proposal for a 30-day truce with Ukraine.

Putin is “in solidarity” with Mr Trump on Ukraine but “there’s a lot of work to do”, a Kremlin spokesman said, adding that the two leaders would speak once Mr Witkoff returns to the US.

“When Mr Witkoff brings all the information to President Trump, we will determine the timing of a conversation between Trump and Putin. There are reasons to be cautiously optimistic,” Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

However, it had been suggested that Moscow did not view Mr Witkoff as an important figure in negotiations after he flew to Moscow yesterday morning.

Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s aide, said the US had identified a mediator in negotiations with Russia, “and this is not Steve Witkoff”.