US envoy Steve Witkoff speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC on March 6, 2025. MANDEL NGAN / AFP
US envoy Steve Witkoff will meet on Wednesday, August 6, with Russian leadership in Moscow as President Donald Trump's deadline to impose fresh sanctions over Russia's war in Ukraine looms. Trump has given Russia until Friday to halt its offensive in Ukraine or face new penalties.
The White House has not outlined specific actions it plans to take on Friday, but Trump has previously threatened to impose "secondary tariffs" targeting Russia's remaining trade partners, such as China and India. The move would aim to stifle Russian exports, but would risk significant international disruption.
Trump said Tuesday that he would await the outcome of the Moscow talks before moving forward with any economic retaliation. "We're going to see what happens," he told reporters. "We'll make that determination at that time."
Despite pressure from Washington, Russia has continued its onslaught against its pro-Western neighbor. Three rounds of peace talks in Istanbul have failed to make headway on a possible ceasefire, with the two sides appearing as far apart as ever.
