Amid Trump tariff and Ukraine war issues, Putin meets with US special envoy Steve Witkoff

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday, the Kremlin said, days before the White House’s deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties, including measures that could affect countries purchasing Russian oil.

The Kremlin did not immediately release further details of the meeting. Earlier in the day, Mr. Witkoff was seen taking a morning stroll through Zaryadye Park, near the Kremlin, accompanied by Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian President’s envoy for investment and economic cooperation, footage aired by TASS showed.

Mr. Dmitriev played a key role in three rounds of direct talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in recent months, as well as in discussions between Russian and U.S. officials. The negotiations have thus far failed to achieve progress toward ending the three-year conflict that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.