US may announce something 'positive, maybe not' on Russia talks: Rubio

ISTANBUL

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio there may be positive announcements, or not, following special envoy Steve Witkoff's talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday.

"Maybe positive, maybe not," Rubio told reporters as he welcomed Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric when asked about potential announcements regarding discussions.

Rubio said Witkoff is returning from the talks ahead of a US ceasefire deadline and that he had just spoken with the envoy by phone.

"We will have more to say about that later on today," Rubio said when asked about details of the meeting.

The Kremlin described the meeting as "useful and constructive," with talks lasting three hours, according to Russian state media.

The discussions covered the Ukraine war and prospects for strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington, RIA reported.

Witkoff's visit was his fifth trip to Russia this year, coming two days before US President Donald Trump's 10-day deadline for Russia to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine.

Trump previously gave Russia a 50-day window, threatening 100% import duties on Russia and trading partners unless Moscow and Kyiv reach peace. He reduced the deadline to 10 days on July 29, citing "disappointment" with Putin.