US Envoy Witkoff Visits Moscow Wednesday

Trump Schedules Meeting with Russian Leadership in Moscow

US President Donald Trump has expressed mounting frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A senior U.S. envoy, Steve Witkoff, will convene with Moscow’s leadership on Wednesday, according to an American source.

Upcoming U.S. Deadline on Russian Sanctions

• Trump has set a Friday deadline for Russia to halt its offensive in Ukraine or face new penalties.
• The White House has not released specifics on the Friday actions, but Trump has threatened secondary tariffs targeting Russia’s remaining trade partners such as China and India.
• These measures aim to stifle Russian exports but could risk significant international disruption.

Russia’s Persistent Onslaught Despite Washington Pressure

Three rounds of peace talks in Istanbul have failed to secure a ceasefire. Moscow demands that Ukraine cede additional territory and renounce Western support, while Kyiv calls for an immediate ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week urged allies to push for “regime change” in Moscow.

Trump’s Increasing Condemnation of Putin’s Unrelenting Offensive

When reporters asked Trump on Monday what Witkoff’s message would be to Moscow and if there was anything Russia could do to avoid the sanctions, Trump replied: “Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed.”

Kremlin Spokesman Reacts to U.S. Diplomacy

• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the talks with Witkoff as “important, substantial and helpful” and valued U.S. efforts to end the conflict.
• Putin has consistently rejected calls for a ceasefire, stating on Friday that he wants peace but his demands for ending his nearly three-and-a-half-year offensive remain unchanged.

Trump’s Recent Nuclear Submarine Deployment

Trump also mentioned the deployment of two nuclear submarines following an online row with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, stating they are “in the region.” He has not clarified whether he means nuclear‑powered or nuclear‑armed submarines, nor the exact deployment locations, which remain secret to the U.S. military.

Russia Calls for Caution with Nuclear Rhetoric

The Kremlin’s Peskov urged “caution” Monday, emphasizing Russia’s attention to nuclear non‑proliferation and the importance of being very, very cautious with nuclear rhetoric.