US Envoy Meets Putin as Trump’s Sanctions Deadline Looms

With just two days left until President Donald Trump’s ultimatum expires, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Wednesday in a last-ditch push for peace in Ukraine.

Trump has set Friday, August 8, as the final deadline for Russia to agree to end its 3½-year war in Ukraine—or face sweeping new sanctions.

In response, Witkoff flew to Moscow unexpectedly, hoping to broker a breakthrough. Russian state television aired footage of the envoy shaking hands with Putin ahead of closed-door talks.

Tensions between Washington and Moscow have escalated sharply in recent weeks. Trump, frustrated by what he calls a lack of progress, has warned of heavy tariffs on nations that continue buying Russian exports.

India and China, two of Russia’s top oil customers, are feeling the heat. However, the Kremlin insists that such threats violate international law.

So far, it remains unclear what Putin might offer to avoid the impending sanctions.

Reports from Bloomberg and independent Russian outlet The Bell suggest the Kremlin could propose a temporary pause on air strikes by both Russia and Ukraine.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko floated the idea during a meeting with Putin last week.

Although a moratorium would fall far short of the full ceasefire Ukraine and the U.S. have demanded, it could signal a willingness to ease the violence.

Since peace talks resumed in May, Russian forces have launched their most intense aerial assaults yet, killing at least 72 people in Kyiv alone. Trump called the attacks “disgusting” during a press briefing last week.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to retaliate, targeting Russian oil refineries and fuel depots. On Wednesday, Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reaffirmed Kyiv’s stance.

“The war must stop and for now, that’s Russia’s responsibility,” he posted on Telegram, calling for a full ceasefire and a summit of world leaders.

‘No Room for Compromise’

Despite the diplomatic flurry, Putin appears unwilling to bend. Sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters the Russian leader believes he’s winning the war and won’t sacrifice military gains for improved relations with the West.

“This visit is a final effort to save face for both sides,” said Austrian political analyst Gerhard Mangott, who’s met with Putin as part of a Western academic group.

“But I don’t expect any real compromise. Russia may offer a ceasefire but only under conditions it has been repeating for the past two or three years.”

Trump, on the other hand, is under pressure to follow through on his threat. If Moscow refuses to budge, his administration could slap steep tariffs on all countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, and possibly uranium.

While Putin doesn’t want to alienate Trump completely, his war goals seem to outweigh any desire to reset ties with Washington.

According to Kremlin insiders, Putin demands a legally binding pledge from NATO not to expand eastward, Ukrainian neutrality, protection for Russian-speaking populations, and international recognition of Russian territorial gains.

Zelensky, however, has categorically rejected those terms. He insists Ukraine will never cede territory and has the sovereign right to decide its alliances including a potential NATO membership.

Can Witkoff Deliver?

Witkoff, a real estate billionaire with no prior diplomatic experience, joined Trump’s administration in January.

Since then, he has been tasked with mediating not only the Ukraine conflict but also the Gaza war and the Iran nuclear standoff.

His lack of foreign policy credentials has drawn criticism.

Some analysts accuse him of echoing the Kremlin’s perspective. In March, during an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, Witkoff dismissed claims that Putin wanted to conquer more Ukrainian territory, calling such concerns “preposterous.”

Still, Witkoff remains Trump’s chosen envoy in this critical moment. Whether he can deliver a meaningful result before the sanctions deadline remains to be seen

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