WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump reiterated Friday that he wants to end the Russia-Ukraine war, but said there is still work to be done.

"We're looking for the ceasefire now with Russia, and we've had some very good talks about it. We've had some very good responses," Trump said at the Department of Justice. "But we have to see what happens. It's still a long way to go".

His remarks came hours after he said on Truth Social that the US "had very good and productive discussions" with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. 

In his post, Trump said "there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end" and that he asked Putin to spare lives of Ukrainian troops who he said were surrounded by Russian military. 

"The fighting is unbelievable. Russia has a large group of Ukrainian soldiers as we speak, surrounded and in grave danger... I've asked them not to kill those soldiers," Trump said during his address.

Putin, for his part, earlier said he understood the call by Trump to take humanitarian considerations into account.

"In this regard, I would like to emphasize that if (Ukraine) lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and decent treatment in accordance with international law and the laws of the Russian Federation," Putin said.

Putin on Thursday welcomed the US-backed 30-day ceasefire plan in Ukraine, also accepted by Kyiv, but said any truce must lead to a final settlement that would address the root causes of the conflict. The president also met US special envoy Steven Witkoff on Thursday.

The US, since the inauguration of Trump, has been actively involved in diplomatic efforts to end the over three-year-long war, engaging in talks with both Ukraine and Russia.

"I want to get it stopped... It's not easy. It's an it's a tough one, but I think we're doing it," Trump added.