Russia tempers expectations for Trump's Ukraine peace deal

Russia is downplaying expectations of an imminent Ukraine peace deal after President Donald Trump said Friday that a "big and beautiful" agreement is nearing. Trump described the deal as encompassing all of Europe, not just Ukraine. The statement received a cautious response in Brussels, where EU spokesperson Paula Pinho said much work remains and the EU decides its own security matters. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia has seen no signs Europe is willing to discuss future security arrangements, adding Europeans have not even designated a lead negotiator. Peskov's comments followed a Washington meeting between Trump and Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriyev. Trump spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz afterward, with Berlin noting new momentum in peace efforts since the US midterm elections and stressing urgency, while saying Germany is kept informed by Washington.