Before the End of Trump's Deadline: Putin Receives Witkoff in Moscow

SadaNews - Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Stephen Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, in Moscow today, Wednesday, as announced by the Kremlin.

The Kremlin did not provide further details about the meeting.

The meeting between Putin and Witkoff comes days before the deadline set for Russia to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine, otherwise, it could face harsh economic sanctions that could also impact countries buying Russian oil.

Footage broadcasted by the TASS news agency showed Witkoff earlier today speaking during a stroll in the early morning at Zaryadye Park, located near the Kremlin, with Russia's presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev.

Dmitriev has played a key role in direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in recent months, in addition to talks between Russia and U.S. officials.

The negotiations have not resulted in any progress in ending the three-year-long war.

The deadline set by Trump for Putin will expire the day after tomorrow, Friday. Washington has threatened to impose "significant tariffs" and other economic sanctions on Russia unless the war in Ukraine stops.

Trump Frustrated by Russian Escalation

Trump expressed his increasing frustration with Putin in light of Russia's escalation of strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine, which aim to undermine the morale and desire of the people for war. The intense strikes occurred despite Trump urging the Russian president in recent months to ease the pressure.

Russian forces struck a recreational center late Tuesday-Wednesday in the Zaporizhia region of southern Ukraine, killing two people and injuring 12 others, including two children, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov.

Russian forces launched four strikes on the region and initially used powerful glide bombs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in a post on Telegram: "There is no military logic in this strike. It is just brutality for intimidation."

Zelensky's Message to Washington

Coinciding with Witkoff's visit to Moscow, Zelensky called on Washington to increase pressure on Russia to force it to end the war that has been ongoing in his country since 2022.

Zelensky wrote on social media: "It is extremely important to intensify all pressure tools that the United States, Europe, and the G7 have against Russia."

He indicated that the Kremlin "will not genuinely seek to end the war until it feels sufficient pressure."