Putin starts high-stakes meeting with Witkoff
Photo: Russian president Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (Getty Images)
A meeting between Russian president Vladimir Putin and US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff has begun at the Kremlin, says Putin’s press service.
Witkoff arrived in Moscow around 7:00 a.m. local time. His plane landed at Vnukovo-2 Airport, where he was greeted by Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president's special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries and the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
An hour later, the two were seen taking a walk through Zaryadye Park, located near the Kremlin.
By around noon, it became known that Putin had met the US President's envoy. The meeting is taking place in the Kremlin.
Trump pushes to end the war in Ukraine
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, would soon travel to Russia to discuss the situation surrounding Ukraine.
Initially, the trip was scheduled for the weekend, but Trump later clarified that the visit would take place on August 6 or 7. During the night before August 6, he confirmed again that talks between the US and Russia were to take place on that day, likely referring to Witkoff's meeting with the Russian side.
Back in July, Trump publicly issued an ultimatum to the Kremlin: 50 days to end the war against Ukraine.
Should Moscow fail to comply, the American president pledged to impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil.
However, following a new wave of heavy Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, Trump shortened the deadline and declared that August 8 would be the final date by which Russia must make a decision.
In his latest remarks to reporters, Trump emphasized that his further actions to pressure Moscow would depend on the outcome of Witkoff's mission.
It's also worth noting that earlier today, it was announced that President Trump will deliver a statement from the Oval Office tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. local time.
