Trump Envoy Arrives in Moscow as Ceasefire Deadline Nears

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MOSCOW, 6 August 2025 – United States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Moscow for high-level talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The visit follows a warning from President Donald Trump that Russia faces renewed sanctions if it does not agree to halt hostilities by Friday.

Witkoff was received by Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, according to a source familiar with the visit’s arrangements. The Kremlin has not ruled out the possibility of a meeting between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising the stakes of this latest diplomatic push.

The visit comes on the heels of Trump’s ultimatum to Moscow. He threatened to impose significant economic penalties, including tariffs on countries importing Russian oil, if no ceasefire is reached. India and China, two of Russia’s largest energy buyers, would be directly affected by such measures.

While the White House has not publicly confirmed the full itinerary of Witkoff’s meetings, sources in Washington told Reuters that the envoy is expected to hold discussions with senior Russian officials on Wednesday. The Kremlin has stated that a meeting with Putin is under consideration but has not yet been scheduled.

Despite mounting pressure, Russian insiders suggest that President Putin is unlikely to comply with Trump’s demands. Sources close to the Kremlin say that Putin remains confident in his military strategy and views his objectives in Ukraine as non-negotiable, regardless of Western threats. According to one official, “Putin believes the sanctions will not change the course of the war and are something Russia has weathered before.”

International analyst Gerhard Mangott noted that this latest diplomatic mission may be more symbolic than substantive. “This is a last-ditch effort to give both sides a way to claim progress,” he said. “But Russia will only accept a ceasefire on its own terms, which have been consistent for several years.”

Witkoff, a billionaire property developer with no prior diplomatic background, was appointed special envoy by Trump earlier this year. His unconventional approach has drawn criticism, particularly after his solo April meeting with Putin, where he appeared isolated and lacked official support staff.

His statements in past interviews, including remarks made to journalist Tucker Carlson in March, have stirred controversy. In those comments, Witkoff downplayed concerns about Russian territorial ambitions, prompting scepticism from Ukrainian officials and European allies.

The situation remains tense. Trump is under growing pressure to act should his ceasefire deadline be ignored. Analysts warn that failure to reach an agreement could lead to further economic fragmentation and a hardening of positions between Russia and the West.

Whether Witkoff’s visit can shift the diplomatic stalemate remains uncertain. For now, all eyes are on Moscow as the deadline approaches.