KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A senior Kremlin official said Friday that Russian police and National Guard will stay on in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas and oversee the industry-rich region, even if a peace settlement ends Russia’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine.

The presidents of Ukraine and Russia are expected to be briefed this week on outcomes of Sunday's U.S.-Ukraine talks.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, fresh from a meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin, said he hopes to discuss a Ukraine-Russia peace plan with U.S. President Donald Trump, adding that "peace is not far away".

Russia's Vladimir Putin tossed a wrench into a tenuous U.S.-led effort to secure an end to the war by issuing an ultimatum to Ukrainian forces.

President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff are meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his five-hour talks with US envoys on ending the war in Ukraine were “necessary” and “useful” but also “difficult work,” with some of the proposals

The Russian leader's remarks come ahead of U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to Moscow to discuss a plan that includes a nonstarter for Ukraine.

Ahead of the key meeting, Russia professed fresh military victories, hammering home its claim that it can succeed in the war without negotiations if it wants.

President Vladimir Putin said in an interview published on Thursday that Russia would take full control of Ukraine's Donbas region by force unless Ukrainian forces withdraw, something Kyiv has flatly rejected.

Kremlin blogger claimed that Russia's army is still unable to provide its soldiers with basic essentials — including socks, underpants and standard uniforms

A senior Kremlin official stated on Friday that Russian police and National Guard will remain in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region.