President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to visit Russia on Wednesday, according to state news agency TASS.
Trump has given Russia a Friday deadline to agree to end the Ukraine war or face new sanctions. Witkoff will visit Moscow amid escalating tensions, as the likely discussion will center on Trump’s demand for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face tariffs on Russian oil exports and secondary sanctions on countries like China and India.
This follows Trump’s recent shortening of his initial 50-day ultimatum to a 10-day deadline, reflecting his growing impatience with the stalled peace process. Last week, Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to be repositioned near Russian waters, a move prompted by provocative statements from Dmitry Medvedev, signaling a military escalation to back his diplomatic pressure. Recent developments also include intensified Russian attacks, such as drone strikes on Kyiv and an oil depot fire in Sochi blamed on Ukraine.
Trump has expressed frustration with Putin, accusing him of stalling and dismissing ceasefire proposals despite multiple meetings, including Witkoff’s April session in Moscow. The Kremlin’s Dmitry Peskov has downplayed the significance of these talks, suggesting no breakthroughs are expected, which aligns with Putin’s refusal to budge on terms unacceptable to Kyiv. Some critics question Witkoff’s effectiveness, noting his past reliance on Kremlin interpreters and cozy rapport with Putin, raising doubts about his ability to deliver tough messages.
The deployment of nuclear submarines and Trump’s rhetoric indicate a strategic shift to force Putin’s hand, though Russia’s continued aggression suggests little willingness to compromise. This high-stakes visit could either push negotiations forward or deepen the standoff, depending on Putin’s response to the looming sanctions threat.
Additionally, top Trump aide Stephen Miller accused India of helping fund Russia’s war by buying its oil, marking the administration’s strongest criticism yet of a key Indo-Pacific ally.
“What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia,” said Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House, on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
Miller added: “People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact.”
