The diplomatic effort signaled that Russia was keen to keep negotiating with the United States about a cease-fire in Ukraine.

Putin lauded the US proposal as “great and correct” and said Russia supports it in theory, but there are many things that still need to be discussed. The comments come as American special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to brief Kremlin officials on the peace plan,

The American visit comes as the Russian military claimed to have recaptured Sudzha - a key town in the Kursk region that Ukraine invaded last year in a surprise attack.

Kremlin forces have retaken the largest town in the Kursk region and expect roll back all Ukrainian gains in the area, the Russian defense ministry said.