Trump Seeks Ukraine Ceasefire; China Urges End to Iran Sanctions

U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration had "productive" talks with Russia regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine. Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin to discuss a joint US-Ukrainian plan for a 30-day pause in hostilities. Trump appealed to Putin to spare Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, a claim Kyiv denies. The Kremlin acknowledged the need for direct talks between Trump and Putin. Separately, China hosted Iranian and Russian diplomats, urging an end to sanctions on Iran and seeking to restart negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated Iran's nuclear program is peaceful.