US special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Moscow just days before the White House’s deadline for Russia to achieve a peace accord with Ukraine, or potentially face significant economic repercussions.
Mr. Witkoff was observed taking an early morning walk in Zaryadye Park, located near the Kremlin, accompanied by Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s representative for investment and economic cooperation.
Mr. Dmitriev has been instrumental in facilitating direct peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in recent months, along with discussions involving Russian and US officials.
It remains unconfirmed by Moscow whether Mr. Witkoff will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov acknowledged Mr. Witkoff’s visit, stating, “We consider (talks with Witkoff) important, substantive and very useful.”
Donald Trump’s deadline for Mr. Putin concludes on Friday. Washington has warned of “severe tariffs” and other financial penalties if the conflict in Ukraine does not cease.
To date, Mr. Trump’s promises, threats, and persuasions have not altered the Kremlin’s stance, leaving the diplomatic situation stagnant.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to lose ground on the front lines, yet there is no indication its defenses are collapsing.
Mr. Trump initially set a 50-day deadline for Moscow but subsequently amended his ultimatum as the Kremlin continued its bombardment of Ukrainian cities.
The proposed sanctions might involve heightened restrictions aimed at crippling Russia’s economy, as well as secondary tariffs targeting nations that purchase Russian oil, including China and India.
However, Mr. Trump remarked on Sunday that Russia has demonstrated an ability to “avoid sanctions pretty well.”
He referred to the Russians as “wily characters.”
The Kremlin maintains that the international sanctions implemented since its February 2022 invasion of its neighbor have had a limited effect.
Ukraine asserts that the sanctions are impacting Moscow’s war efforts and is urging Western allies to bolster them. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the United States, Europe, and other nations on Monday to implement stronger secondary sanctions on Moscow’s energy, trade, and banking sectors.
