On Friday, US Vice President Jay D. Vance expressed optimism about the possibility of ending the "extremely brutal war" between Russia and Ukraine.

Source: Vance made this statement ahead of a bilateral meeting with the Italian Prime Minister in Rome, as reported by Reuters.

Direct quote: "I want to inform the Prime Minister about some negotiations between Russia and Ukraine... even in the last 24 hours, we believe there are some interesting things we can share.

As the negotiations are ongoing, I don't want to preempt them, but we are optimistic and hope that we can bring this war, this extremely brutal war, to an end".

Details: Vance and Giorgia Meloni are meeting less than 24 hours after the leaders of Italy and the US held discussions in Washington.

His comments came just hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that President Donald Trump would not pursue a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine without clear signs that it could be achieved.

Vance added that their discussions with Meloni would also focus on "trade negotiations, not only between Italy and the US but also with the EU".

In response to Rubio's comments, the Kremlin noted some progress in resolving the conflict in Ukraine but highlighted "a multitude of complex issues".

US President Donald Trump claims that Russia will respond to Washington's proposal for a "ceasefire" in Ukraine in the coming days.