Brussels – With a White House deadline looming, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin to discuss the war in Ukraine, according to Russian media reports.
The high-stakes meeting comes as Trump warns of sweeping sanctions if Moscow does not commit to halting its offensive by Friday. The US President has threatened not only fresh penalties against Russia, but also tariffs and secondary sanctions targeting countries that continue trading with it, especially in energy.
Despite pressure from Washington, Moscow has intensified its air attacks on Ukrainian cities, underscoring the Kremlin’s apparent confidence in its military position. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelendky has said a breakthrough is unlikely unless Russia begins to feel the financial strain, praising Trump’s warnings as a necessary push.
Witkoff’s visit is seen as a last-ditch diplomatic effort. The former real estate mogul, who lacks formal diplomatic experience, has drawn criticism for past comments echoing Kremlin talking points. His solo appearance at the Kremlin, without aides or diplomats, has raised eyebrows, particularly as previous talks in Istanbul failed to advance peace efforts.
Meanwhile, the US approved an additional $200 million in military support to Ukraine this week, as Zelensky and Trump held discussions on defense cooperation and drone production.
With little sign of compromise from either side, analysts expect Moscow to continue pressing its demands, while Trump faces growing pressure to follow through on his threats.
