Trump touts 'big' Ukraine deal after meeting Russian envoy

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said Thursday that "a big agreement" to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict could be reached soon and might involve all of Europe.

He made the remarks after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev at the White House.

"It's going to be a big agreement, and it's going to involve more than Ukraine," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"I could even say it might involve all of Europe. It's going to be a big, beautiful agreement, and everyone's going to be thrilled," he said.

Trump did not explain what the proposed agreement would entail, which countries would be involved or the potential concessions that both sides might make.

Trump also acknowledged that he had not met with Ukrainian representatives who were visiting Washington on Thursday.

Dmitriev and Ukrainian officials attended a White House event hosted by First Lady Melania Trump to recognize her role in facilitating a six-day ceasefire in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Oleshky, which allowed hundreds of civilians to evacuate.

The separate meeting between Trump and Dmitriev raised questions about whether Washington and Moscow were discussing a broader European security arrangement without direct Ukrainian participation, The Washington Post reported.

Also on Thursday, Trump's envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner met in Brussels with Ukrainian, NATO and European officials to discuss what he said were "security guarantees for Ukraine and a broader European security architecture," said the report.

The latest development comes ahead of US-mediated talks involving Russian and Ukrainian representatives set for Nov 10-11 in Abu Dhabi.

Despite renewed diplomatic efforts, Russia and Ukraine remain divided over key issues, including territory and security guarantees, while fighting continues with air and drone strikes by both sides.