Trump sends Witkoff to Moscow days before US sanctions hit Russia

US president’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is travelling to Russia this week, just days before a deadline for Moscow to reach a deal with Ukraine or face major tariffs.

Donald Trump said Witkoff may be going to Moscow “Wednesday or Thursday”. “They would like to see him. They've asked that he meet, so we'll see what happens,” he added.

The Kremlin-controlled media later reported that Witkoff is expected in Moscow on Wednesday, 6 August.

US president also reiterated that sanctions would take effect by Friday if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire by that date. "There'll be sanctions, but they seem to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions," Trump said.

"They’re wily characters, and they're pretty good at avoiding sanctions, so we’ll see what happens."

Trump announced earlier that the measures would include significant secondary tariffs on countries that continue to import Russian oil, gas and other goods — a move that would significantly affect major trading partners such as China and India.

Is Moscow ready for a ceasefire?

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Moscow is "always happy" to hold talks with Witkoff. "We consider these contacts to be important, meaningful and very useful."

Peskov also said that the Kremlin has not ruled out the possibility of a meeting between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin this week in Moscow.

US special envoy met with the Russian president in April, drawing criticism not only for repeating Moscow's narratives about Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine, but also for using the Kremlin-provided translators for these talks.

In a stark demonstration of Moscow’s ceasefire intentions, Russia has intensified its daily attacks against Ukraine, targeting civilians and residential infrastructure with barrages of missiles and drones across the country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated the calls to the US to sanction Russia, saying, "The world has enough power to stop this and protect people."

"Ukraine looks forward to the implementation of every agreement on strengthening defence that has been reached with its partners. Every day of delay results in the loss of our people," he added.

Is a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin possible?

Zelenskyy also reiterated his willingness to meet with Putin.

"We understand who calls the shots in Russia, and thus Ukraine is once again offering to move beyond technical talks—not to exchange statements, but to actually meet at the level of leaders," the Ukrainian president said.

Zelenskyy has been repeatedly calling for a meeting with his Russian counterpart.

When the direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow were renewed in March this year, Zelenskyy personally went to Turkey, calling on Putin to come to Istanbul for direct negotiations between the presidents.

Putin was a no-show and has been rejecting the possibility of meeting Zelenskyy since then.

On Monday, Peskov once again said that a face-to-face meeting between the presidents is not on the agenda, claiming that "all the preparatory work has not been completed yet."

Putin's spokesperson did not provide details and more information on what precisely this preparatory work involves and what Moscow's expectations are regarding the possible meeting between the two.