"He earnestly asks Putin" to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers who are allegedly surrounded, and Putin demands the "surrender of the enemy" in Kursk. Ukraine wants its invader to withdraw and a lasting peace.

The Kremlin said there are reasons to be optimistic about a settlement to the conflict but that more work needs to be done.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday there is a "very good chance" the war between Russia and Ukraine could end after Washington had "productive" discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.