NEW: A senior White House official tells me a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine could come as soon “as soon as this week” and likely by the end of the month. They believe Ukraine is in a position to accept a deal Witkoff has hammered out with Russia (according to reporting from Axios). And as for the Europeans? “We don’t really care about the Europeans.” More in @playbookdc

The Ukrainian delegation has departed for the United States: Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, and several representatives of the diplomatic sector. They will hold a number of meetings. I will also have the opportunity to come to Washington and meet with President Trump on Friday. I believe we will discuss a series of steps that I intend to propose. I am grateful to President Trump for our dialogue and his support. There will be several other important meetings – with defense companies, and possibly with senators and members of Congress. I will also meet with energy companies. This is necessary – it was President Trump’s proposal – and I will meet with these companies because there are pressing needs linked to various formats of attacks, not even the attacks that Russia has already carried out. In any case, we must be prepared. So, it will be helpful. Therefore, the main focus of the visit is air defense and our long-range capabilities aimed at exerting pressure on Russia for the sake of peace.

The photo shows the railway station in Kostiantynivka before and after a Russian attack. Reports say Russia has struck Ukraine’s rail network nearly 300 times just since August. Since the full-scale invasion began, Russia has killed 37 railway workers and injured 221.