Steve Witkoff

Trump had threatened military strikes.

Iran had said if that happened, it could spark regional war.

In a statement, White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff calls the two days of talks constructive.

The most immediate outcome, the release of some 300 soldiers and another prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.

Witkoff also says the U.S.

and Russia have agreed to reestablish a military dialogue channel suspended following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, with Witkoff calling it crucial to achieving and maintaining peace.

yet left unclear whether Russia and Ukraine are any closer to a deal either could accept.

Months of U.S.

diplomatic efforts have bogged down over Russia's maximalist demands on Ukrainian territory and Ukraine's desire for ironclad security guarantees from the West.

Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.

We have achieved a peace deal in Gaza.

We have brought the hostages home, and maybe most importantly, we have created a sense of hope for what the future can bring.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, Witkoff confirmed he'd travel on to Moscow from Switzerland for further talks with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin.

Witkoff said he thought the U.S.

mediating team had made, quote, a lot of progress and insisted the remaining negotiations were now focused on a single outstanding issue, describing how a suggested tariff-free zone in Ukraine would be, quote, game-changing for the country's economy.

It's the ultimate long-term deal.

And I think it puts everybody in a really good position.

especially as it pertains to security and minerals and everything else.

We've got 20 or maybe 25 leaders who have already said yes.

This is not such an easy place to get to.