US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff engaged in a three-hour Kremlin meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, 6 August, in an effort to prevent the imposition of US sanctions over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The dialogue, described by both capitals as “constructive” yet shrouded in strategic ambiguity, unfolded against US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum for Russia to cease war in Ukraine or face severe economic retaliation, including secondary tariffs targeting major powers like China and India.
Witkoff’s fifth Moscow expedition since January carried exceptional urgency. Trump’s 10-day deadline, slashed from an original 50 days over purported “disappointment” with Putin, expires on Friday, 8 August, threatening disruptive “secondary tariffs” on nations trading with Russia, particularly buyers of its oil.
Though Trump hailed the talks as “highly productive” and cited “great progress” on Truth Social, White House officials underscored that sanctions preparations remain on track.
“Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come,” Trump wrote.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov cautiously noted the exchange of unspecified “signals” regarding Ukraine and bilateral relations, emphasising the conversation’s usefulness but not revealing any details until Vitkoff informs Trump.
The diplomatic choreography extended beyond the Kremlin walls. Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, greeted Witkoff at Vnukovo Airport and accompanied him to the Zaryadye Park, a gesture framed as fostering “constructive US-Russia dialogue critical for global security and peace.”
This occurred hours before Trump imposed new 25% tariffs on Indian goods, explicitly citing New Delhi’s Russian oil imports and warning China could face similar measures.
Ushakov confirmed discussions covered both “the Ukrainian crisis” and “prospects for strategic cooperation,” a duality underscoring Moscow’s desire to sidestep sanctions while preserving geopolitical influence.
Concurrently, reports emerged that Moscow might propose only a limited “air pause” moratorium, far short of the comprehensive ceasefire sought by Kyiv and Washington.
The Witkoff-Putin dialogue also catalysed rumours of an imminent leaders’ summit. Trump told reporters a meeting with Putin could occur “very soon,” while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump’s openness to talks involving both Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, potentially as early as next week.
