United States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, just days before the White House’s deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or face economic penalties. The Kremlin reported that the meeting “focused on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement,” without providing further details.
This meeting comes as US efforts to secure a ceasefire deal to end the Ukraine war have stalled amid negotiations on the conditions to end the conflict. President Donald Trump warned that he would impose sanctions on Russia if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire in its war on Ukraine before Friday. Trump stated, “Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed.” The White House has not outlined specific actions it plans to take, but Trump has previously threatened to impose “secondary tariffs” against Russia’s trade partners, such as India and China.
Witkoff, a real estate billionaire with no prior diplomatic experience, has had several long meetings with Putin. Critics have questioned his ability to handle such tasks, given his lack of experience. Despite this, Trump has granted Witkoff expanded authority to engage with Russian leadership discreetly. The US envoy’s visit marks a continuation of Washington’s behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a path toward ending the war in Ukraine.
Putin’s demands for ending the nearly three-and-a-half-year offensive remain unchanged, with Moscow insisting that Ukraine cede more territory and renounce Western support, including seeking NATO membership. In contrast, Kyiv is calling for an immediate ceasefire, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged his allies to push for “regime change” in Moscow.
The outcome of Witkoff’s meeting with Putin remains uncertain, with Trump’s next steps on sanctions dependent on the outcome of the trip. If the talks fail, Trump plans to significantly ramp up pressure on the Kremlin. “We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow. We’ll see what happens. Then we’ll decide,” Trump said.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, aware that the fate of the Ukraine war hangs in the balance. The US and Russia have had some positive developments in their diplomatic relations, including a prisoner swap between the two countries. However, the road to peace in Ukraine appears long and challenging, with both sides maintaining their positions.