Shortly after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Aug. 6, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivered major news to U.S. President Donald Trump: The Russian president was prepared to offer significant territorial concessions to end his war in Ukraine.

Following Witkoff's readout to the U.S. president, described by two people briefed on the matter, Trump hailed his emissary's "great progress" and agreed to hold a historic summit with Putin, indicating that a land swap was on the table.

But the diplomatic drive soon descended into confusion.