US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow, reported state-owned Russian media on Wednesday, days before the White House’s deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukriane or potentially face severe economic penalties.
Witkoff was seen taking an early morning stroll through Zaryadye Park, a stone’s throw from the Kremlin, with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s envoy for investment and economic cooperation, footage aired by TASS showed. Dmitriev had played a key role in direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in recent months, as well as discussions between Russian and US officials.
Moscow is yet to confirm whether Witkoff will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his stay.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed on Monday Witkoff’s visit. “We consider (talks with Witkoff) important, substantive and very useful,” he said.
Trump’s deadline for Putin ends on Friday. Washington has threatened “severe tariffs” and other economic penalties if the killing doesn’t stop in Ukriane.
