Putin-Witkoff Talks Fail to Stop Future U.S. Sanctions on Russia

Russian president Vladimir Putin and White House envoy Steve Wittvov held “useful and constructive” talks in Moscow on Wednesday, according to Carmin, the political foreigner, Yuri Ushakov. The session, which lasted almost three hours, aims to secure a breakthrough at the last minute to end the war of Russia-Ukraine before the US sanctions on Friday.

However, officials suggest that the Wednesday meeting was not enough to prevent US President Donald Trump from imposing these measures on Moscow. “The Russians are keen to continue to engage with the United States,” a White House official said. But “secondary penalties are still expected to be implemented on Friday.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin and White House envoy Steve Wittvov held “useful and constructive” talks in Moscow on Wednesday, according to Carmin, the political foreigner, Yuri Ushakov. The session, which lasted almost three hours, aims to secure a breakthrough at the last minute to end the war of Russia-Ukraine before the US sanctions on Friday.

However, officials suggest that the Wednesday meeting was not enough to prevent US President Donald Trump from imposing these measures on Moscow. “The Russians are keen to continue to engage with the United States,” a White House official said. But “secondary penalties are still expected to be implemented on Friday.”

Three weeks ago, Trump gave Russia 50 days to make progress towards securing a peace agreement with Ukraine or to face more US sanctions. But it seems that the patience of the American president is diminishing, last week, this warning was shortened until August 8.

“It is extremely important for Moscow to feel the pressure of the world, pressure from the United States, and the threat of the most striking sanctions on continuing the war,” Ukrainian President Voludmir Zelinski published on Tuesday after a phone call to Trump, during which the two leaders discussed how US sanctions could harm the Russian economy.

However, experts warn that Russia is unlikely to bend the threats of the United States when it feels that it wins the war. Since Russia and Ukraine have resumed direct peace talks in May, Moscow has held the heaviest air attacks so far, killing at least 72 people in Kiev alone.

Read more in today’s world summary: US sanctions on Russia are still looming on the horizon after Putin’s meeting.