Russia described talks with Trump envoy Steven Witkoff today as “constructive.” According to the New York Times, Presidents Trump, Putin, and Zelensky will meet. A full ceasefire is on the table.
Trump recently decided to park nuclear submarines near Russia after Dmitry Medvedev suggested that sanctions would be treated as an act of war. That might have moved things along.
The proposed sanctions include 100% tariffs and secondary sanctions aimed at nations trading with Russia, particularly in the oil sector. President Trump leveled a 50% tariff on India for buying Russian oil as Witkoff arrived. He also shortened the deadline for peace to the end of the week. So, there’s that.
The Story
Witkoff arrived yesterday. Russia was very positive about the meeting
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 that could also hit countries buying its oil.
The meeting between Putin and Witkoff lasted about three hours. Neither side gave an immediate readout of the talks.
Earlier, Witkoff took an early morning stroll through Zaryadye Park, a stone’s throw from the Kremlin, with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s envoy for investment and economic cooperation, footage aired by TASS showed. Dmitriev said later on social platform X that “dialogue will prevail.” …
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday said about talks with Witkoff, “We consider (the talks) important, substantive and very useful.”
As Witkoff toured the Kremlin, Trump imposed the 50% sanctions on Russia’s key trading partner, India.
And Russia greeted Witkoff’s arrival with yet another massive aerial attack on Ukrainian civilian areas.
Putin met with Wikoff for three hours.
Witkoff said they can find common ground through diplomacy. Trump noted on TruthSocial that Witkoff made great progress, and Kremlin official Kirill Dimitriev said it was a “successful” meeting.
There are always nuclear subs near opponents. The missiles are not long range and are used for fast strikes. We have theirs off our coasts constantly. The use of threats is greatly exaggerated. Both Trump and Putin are well aware of the real activities of subs. The public posturing is ignored. There are probably several factors leading to this negotiation.… Read more »