Putin said he was "for" a ceasefire but raised concerns and set out his own conditions, such as certain security guarantees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has accused the Russian leader of obstructing peace and "prolonging" the war.

Russia struck a sedate tone on Friday but acknowledged grounds for cautious optimism, after only backing the "idea" of a U.S. brokered 30-day ceasefire with firm caveats.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff said he expects the discussion to be "positive" and a ceasefire to come soon in the war between Russia and Ukraine.