Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free
Your guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the world
Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy, landed in Moscow early on Wednesday for talks over the Russian war in Ukraine, as Washington presses the Kremlin to agree to a deal to stop fighting before the US president’s Friday deadline or face new sanctions.
Kirill Dmitriev, a senior Russian official with close ties to Russian President Vladimir 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 — a recently renovated hipster spot 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.
A meeting could take place this time as well. “We do not rule out such a possibility,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
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.
Read the full article here
