Russian President told Steve Witkoff during a meeting in St. Petersburg earlier this month that Moscow could give up its claims on the areas of the four Ukrainian regions partially occupied that remain under Kiev's control.

Speculation abounds after a report suggested Putin could be ready to abandon plans to absorb Ukrainian regions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday he is open to the possibility of bilateral talks with Ukraine for the first time in years, as pressure from the United States builds on both sides to agree to a peace deal.