The first lady hailed “progress” in Russia returning abducted Ukrainian kids even as her husband’s attempts to reach a deal with Moscow became a farce.

The White House said it was "very optimistic" ahead of a meeting between envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled to take place on Tuesday (December 2) in regards to ending the Kremlin's yearslong invasion of Ukraine.

The US-Ukraine talks come two days after Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner met for five-hours with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, and left without a deal. Still, the president remained optimistic a resolution could come “eventually.”

According to leading analysts, the broader US national-security community will scrutinise the visit, paying special attention to its messaging, the nature of any deals struck

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi sits down with Vladimir Putin tonight for a private dinner, the meeting will unfold under a very different kind of American shadow.

MS NOW host Rachel Maddow said the Kremlin is running the United States' foreign policy in an interview on "The Late Show" with host Stephen Colbert. "You know, Russia is a podunk country," Maddow said to Colbert.

Elsewhere, President Zelensky warns that Ukraine risks losing the US as a key partner over the Trump administration's plans.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is less than optimistic about the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, saying only Putin can end the war.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin threatened President Trump not to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine in a phone call set in motion by White House special envoy Steve Witkoff ahead of a high-stakes meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Russian president Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine’s European allies of sabotaging US-led efforts to end the war that have gained momentum in recent weeks. “They don’t have a peace agenda, they’re on the side of the war,