Trump envoy Steve Witkoff meets Putin in Moscow ahead of US ultimatum
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Russian President Vladimir Putin met Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy, in the Kremlin on Wednesday, as Washington presses the Kremlin to agree to a deal to stop fighting before the US president’s Friday deadline or face new sanctions.
Earlier on Wednesday, Kirill Dmitriev, a senior Russian official with close ties to Putin’s family, greeted him at Vnukovo airport, according to Tass, the state newswire.
Soon after, state media published videos of the pair, flanked by security staff, strolling through Zaryadye Park next to the Kremlin.
The visit comes amid Trump’s growing frustration over the lack of progress in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, with his criticism of Moscow’s repeated drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities becoming increasingly pointed.
As part of Washington’s effort to rebuild ties with Moscow, Witkoff has visited Russia four times in recent months, holding talks with Putin on February 11, March 13 and April 11 and 25.
“We are always pleased to see Mr Witkoff in Moscow and to be in contact with him,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters ahead of the envoy’s visit. “We consider these interactions important, substantive and very useful.”
Putin has recently dismissed US frustration over stalled negotiations, saying it was the result of unrealistic hopes.
“As for any disappointment on anyone’s part, all disappointment stems from excessive expectations, as is well known,” he told reporters on August 1 during an informal meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
