US president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that his peculiar envoy Steve Witkoff had met with Russian president Vladimir Putin. As Trump stressed, talks were very fruitful and contributed to hugeProgress in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Who's gonna meet who?
It was a good day, but we inactive have quite a few work to do. said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, commenting on Steve Witkoff's visit to Moscow.
Rubio pointed out that circumstantial deadlines for a possible ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia have not yet been discussed. However, he stressed that they now have a better knowing of the conditions under which Russia could end the conflict. It will now be crucial to compare these conditions with the expectations of Ukraine and its European allies. Rubio pointed out that the main issues concerning the end of the war would be concerning the disputed territories, and both sides would gotta agree to any compromises.
The head of U.S. diplomacy added that if the positions of Russia and Ukraine can be brought closer, it is possible to meet president Trump with Zelenski and Putin. He besides pointed out that Trump could contact Putin by telephone in the coming days, although so far specified a call is not planned.
White home spokesman, Karoline Leavitt, reported earlier on Wednesday that the Russians had reported ready to meet president Trump.
Putin does not succumb to pressure
The Reuters Agency, citing a White home representative, reports that despite Trump's optimistic words and affirmative assessment of talks with the Kremlin, it is inactive planned to impose secondary sanctions on Russia. These sanctions are to be announced next Friday and will apply to entities supporting the Russian economy and the military sector.
On July 29, Donald Trump announced that if Russia did not take steps to conclude an agreement ending the war, it would impose fresh sanctions on Moscow. The deadline for this ultimatum is Friday. According to Reuters' information, citing 3 sources close to Kremlin, president Putin does not intend to succumb to Trump's pressure, and the Russian authorities do not see in fresh US sanctions the threat of disaster to the country.
It is worth noting that the visit of envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia was not previously announced by either the media or the Kremlin. Putin's spokesman, Dmitri Pieskov, confirmed on Wednesday that the gathering had taken place, but did not supply any information on his conduct or findings.
