The United States said Monday it was optimistic about pushing through a controversial deal to end the war in Ukraine as President Donald Trump's envoy headed to Moscow.

Steve Witkoff, Trump's business partner turned roving emissary, is set to meet Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose military on Monday claimed a key town in Ukraine more than three years after he ordered the invasion.

"I think the administration feels very optimistic," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was seeking support from European allies who fear that the US plan -- drafted without input from Kyiv or Europe -- reads like a wishlist for Moscow.

But Ukraine's negotiator Rustem Umerov said "significant progress" had been achieved in two

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