Trump’s Sanctions Ultimatum: Witkoff Meets Putin Amid Looming Deadline
Trump’s Sanctions Ultimatum: Witkoff Meets Putin Amid Looming Deadline
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is currently in Moscow, engaging in critical talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a last-ditch effort to avert stringent new sanctions threatened by President Donald Trump. Witkoff arrived in the Russian capital earlier today, Wednesday, for a meeting requested by the Kremlin as a direct response to Trump’s impending Friday deadline for a peace resolution in Ukraine.
President Trump has made it clear that failure to reach a substantive agreement by Friday will trigger a new wave of punitive measures against Moscow. These potential sanctions are extensive, reportedly including secondary tariffs on nations that continue to import Russian energy, directly targeting major buyers like China and India.
The high-stakes meeting comes amidst escalating frustration from the Trump administration over Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine. Following a recent call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump reiterated his commitment to bolstering US weapons support to Kyiv, funded by NATO allies, and emphasized the potential for sanctions to significantly impact the Russian economy.
While the outcome of Witkoff’s discussions with Putin remains uncertain, the US president has expressed skepticism about Putin’s willingness to de-escalate, despite Russia’s economy showing signs of strain. The international community watches closely as the Friday deadline approaches, with the potential for these talks to reshape global diplomatic and economic landscapes.
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