By Steve Holland, Dmitry Antonov and Andrew Osborn WASHINGTON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump urged Russia's Vladimir Putin on Friday to spare Ukrainian troops being pushed back out of Russia's Kursk region and said there was a "very good chance" the war could end.

President Donald Trump on Friday sounded an optimistic note about efforts to halt the fighting in Russia's war with Ukraine, but he added a sense of urgency to stave off a "horrible massacre." In a post on the Truth Social social media platform,

President Trump praised Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for saying he would back the GOP spending bill to avert a government shutdown.

The Senate approaches a key test vote Friday afternoon as lawmakers work to avoid a partial government shutdown, with Democrats confronting two painful options: allowing passage of a bill they believe gives President Donald Trump vast discretion on spending decisions or voting no and letting a funding lapse ensue.