According to the reports on Wednesday (06 August), United States special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow ahead of a crucial deadline set by the White House for Russia to agree to a peace deal with Ukraine or face economic sanctions. President Donald Trump has warned of imposing sanctions if a ceasefire is not reached by Friday, though the exact measures remain unspecified. He has previously threatened “secondary tariffs” on nations trading with Russia, including India and China.
Witkoff was welcomed in Moscow by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who has been actively involved in past peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, particularly those held in Istanbul. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described Witkoff’s visit as important and substantive, indicating that Moscow is open to further talks. However, no confirmation has been given on whether Witkoff will meet directly with President Vladimir Putin.
President Trump emphasized the urgency of stopping the violence, stating that Russia could avoid sanctions by agreeing to a deal where “people stop getting killed.” Despite Witkoff’s lack of prior diplomatic experience, he has reportedly held long meetings with Putin in the past. Critics, however, have questioned his qualifications and readiness for such high-stakes negotiations.
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly failed, with President Putin maintaining firm demands, including Ukrainian territorial concessions and renunciation of NATO ambitions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and has urged allies to support regime change in Moscow. The outcome of Witkoff’s visit could play a pivotal role in determining whether diplomatic efforts can still avert escalated conflict and punitive U.S. action.
References
Trump Threatens Russia with Sanctions as Envoy Arrives in Moscow for Peace Talks
