The prospect of a direct meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has grown, following a recent “highly productive” meeting between a US special envoy and the Russian leader in Moscow. The diplomatic moves come as a White House deadline for fresh sanctions on Russia looms.
US envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Moscow to meet with President Putin, a discussion which lasted for approximately three hours. While no specific details of a breakthrough were announced by the Kremlin, President Trump posted on his social media platform that “great progress was made!” and that he had briefed European allies, with all agreeing the war must come to an end. This has led to speculation that Trump could meet with Putin as soon as next week, though an official date and location have not been finalised.
The diplomatic push is set against a backdrop of a looming ultimatum from the Trump administration. The US has threatened to impose secondary sanctions on countries that continue to trade with Russia, a move intended to pressure Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Despite the ongoing talks, a White House official has clarified that these sanctions are still expected to be implemented as planned. The Ukrainian government has also weighed in, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirming a call with Trump and European leaders to discuss the talks and reiterate the need for a “lasting and reliable peace.”
