Washington DC - Donald Trump confirmed he is sending his envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week in an effort to strike a deal that would end the war in Ukraine.

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that there were "only a few remaining points of disagreement" – but European leaders were skeptical, and Russian missiles continued to strike Ukraine.

He also expressed hope to meet "soon" with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, "but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages."

Trump later told journalists aboard Air Force One that his son-in-law Jared Kushner may join Witkoff in Moscow.

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The US' 28-point proposal to end the war – which alarmed Ukraine and its European allies by granting many of Russia's demands – may have originated in a call between Witkoff and Putin's foreign policy advisor, according to a transcription of their conversation Bloomberg reported it had obtained.

According to the transcript, Witkoff advised the creation of a 20-point peace plan for Ukraine "just like we did in Gaza," and urged that Putin bring it up with Trump.

The original proposal has been replaced by another taking in more of Kyiv's interests. An official familiar with the amended version told AFP it was "significantly better."

Witkoff will soon discuss that version with Putin in Moscow

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll had emerged upbeat from meeting with Russian counterparts in Abu Dhabi, with a spokesperson saying: "The talks are going well and we remain optimistic."

The White House cited "tremendous progress," while cautioning "there are a few delicate but not insurmountable details that must be sorted out."

Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said also said there was "common understanding on the core" of the deal.

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However, remaining details should be hammered out in direct talks "at the earliest suitable date."

Ukrainian army Sergeant Ivan Zadontsev said negotiating was "healthy."

"We also are getting tired of war. We need a break," he told AFP, while cautioning that the proposal on the table so far "do not serve Ukraine's national interests."