In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin greets US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff prior to their talks in Moscow on August 6, 2025. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV / AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday, August 6, the Kremlin said, two days ahead of a deadline imposed by US President Donald Trump on Moscow to halt its Ukraine offensive or face fresh sanctions. Trump, who had boasted he could end the conflict within 24 hours of taking office, has given Russia until Friday to make progress toward peace or face new penalties.
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But three rounds of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul have failed to make headway on a ceasefire, with the two sides far apart. Russia has escalated drone and missile attacks against its pro-Western neighbor to a record high and accelerated its advance on the ground. The Kremlin published video of Putin shaking hands with Witkoff in the Kremlin before the talks. But it provided no further details. Ahead of the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Washington to up its pressure on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire.
