Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday, as confirmed by the Kremlin. This meeting took place just before the deadline set by President Trump for Russia to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic consequences.
The talks between Putin and Witkoff lasted approximately three hours, with no immediate details released by either side. Trump initially gave Russia a 50-day ultimatum, but subsequently moved up the deadline to Friday as the Kremlin continued its bombing in Ukraine. He has threatened significant economic penalties, including “severe tariffs,” if the bombing persists.
Additionally, Trump has warned of imposing tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, which could substantially raise import taxes for nations like China and India. He signed an executive order on Wednesday to enforce a 25 percent tariff increase on India for its Russian oil imports, bringing the total tariffs imposed by the U.S. on India to 50 percent.
Earlier on the same day, Witkoff met with Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy for investment and economic cooperation. Dmitriev played a crucial role in direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul and discussions between Russian and U.S. officials. Despite negotiations leading to prisoner exchanges, they have not made progress in ending the ongoing conflict following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Putin has not shown any willingness to make concessions and has instead emphasized Russia’s military capabilities, including the deployment of a new hypersonic missile. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned of the potential for armed conflict between Russia and the U.S. due to the Ukraine war.
Trump responded by ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines. While Trump has not promised direct weapons or economic aid to Ukraine, he has encouraged NATO allies in Europe to increase their support, particularly in providing air defense systems.
Western analysts and Ukrainian officials believe that Putin is delaying serious negotiations while Russian forces continue to advance in Ukraine. Despite some gains, Russian forces have not captured major cities, and Ukrainian defenses are holding, though the situation remains critical on the front line.
In a recent attack, Russian forces struck a recreational center in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, resulting in two deaths and several injuries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as an act of cruelty aimed at intimidation, noting strikes on the power grid and gas facilities.
Overall, the situation in Ukraine remains tense, with ongoing diplomatic efforts and military actions shaping the conflict’s trajectory.