Witkoff, Trump’s top negotiator, said the U.S. would be looking to talks from early in the war as a basis for a deal. Ukraine’s supporters saw it as an embrace of a Kremlin talking point.

A fiery Oval Office meeting sent shock waves through allies, while U.S. officials gave conflicting signals about whether an agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war could be salvaged.

Russian and U.S. diplomats have held talks in Istanbul to discuss ways to normalize the operation of their embassies after diplomatic expulsions.

Russian and U.S. teams held six hours of talks in Turkey on Thursday to try to restore the normal functioning of their embassies, and President Vladimir Putin said initial contacts with Donald Trump's new administration had inspired hope.

Russia said on Friday it had suggested restoring direct air links with the United States at what it described as "substantive and businesslike" talks in Turkey.