Dressed head to toe in army fatigues, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday received the news he had been awaiting for more than a year: Russia had taken over the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.

LONDON -- The White House said it's is "very optimistic" ahead of special envoy Steve Witkoff's meeting in Moscow on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as U.S. officials continue their push to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a peace plan that Washington hopes can end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine.