US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a high-profile meeting with Russian leadership, signaling Washington’s latest push to end the war in Ukraine. Witkoff was received at the airport by Russia’s investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, marking a rare diplomatic engagement amid strained relations. The talks come just days before President Trump’s deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire—or face new sanctions.
President Trump has taken a hardline stance, warning that failure to secure a truce by Friday will trigger punitive measures, including 100% tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil. The threat primarily targets China and India, key buyers of Russian energy. Trump also revealed that he had deployed nuclear submarines in response to provocative remarks by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, further escalating tensions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the challenges in repairing US-Russia relations, stating that efforts to normalize ties would require time. He highlighted the unusual delay in a summit between Presidents Putin and Trump—the longest gap in modern Russian history after a US presidential inauguration. Peskov emphasized that overcoming the current diplomatic inertia would not be easy.
As Witkoff engages in talks, the world watches to see if this last-ditch effort can avert further economic warfare. With Trump’s August 8 deadline for a formal peace agreement looming, the stakes have never been higher. Will Moscow compromise, or will the US follow through on its threats, reshaping global trade dynamics? The outcome could define the future of Russia-US relations.