State Department says G7 talks and envoy visit produced "cautious optimism" on Ukraine ceasefire talks

Secretary of State said after a G7 meeting in Canada that a recent engagement with President Putin and Special Envoy Witkoff produced "reason to be cautiously optimistic" about steps toward a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine.

The statement followed a G7 session where leaders issued a joint statement and discussed next steps for diplomacy. The secretary said the immediate goal is to stop the shooting so parties can move to negotiations about longer‑term security arrangements for Ukraine.

The secretary said the administration does not plan to base foreign‑policy decisions on public remarks at press conferences and emphasized the work will proceed through private negotiations and follow‑up with Ambassador Witkoff. "We're not going to allow the things we disagree on ... to keep us from working closely on the things we agree on," he said, and added there is "reason to be cautiously optimistic."

He described two phases for any settlement: first, measures to stop active fighting so a negotiating table is possible; second, a separate negotiation over longer‑term security arrangements that would require UKraine's agreement and consultation with other countries, including European partners. "You can't get to the second phase till you get through the first phase," he said.

The secretary noted the conflict has lasted "3 years," and he said the president will determine next steps after receiving Ambassador Witkoff's debriefing when the envoy returns. He declined to speculate further until the interagency team has met and the ambassador is back in the United States.

Officials said follow‑up meetings will occur after Ambassador Witkoff returns to Washington; no formal decisions were announced at the briefing.