American Envoy in Moscow on Urgent Ukraine Peace Mission
Steve Witkoff, the American envoy, landed in Moscow this Wednesday, tasked with a pressing endeavor: to resolve the escalating conflict in Ukraine. This comes just two days prior to the expiration of an ultimatum issued by President Donald Trump, who has demanded Russia’s compliance to peace terms or face additional sanctions. Upon his arrival, Witkoff shared a warm greeting with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian investment ambassador and the chief of the country’s sovereign wealth fund. National television captured the pair walking side by side in a park close to the Kremlin, engrossed in an intense discussion.
There has been growing irritation within Trump towards Putin because of the absence of considerable progress towards a Ukrainian peace agreement. Trump has put forth threats of imposing severe duties on nations that trade with Russia, particularly those purchasing Russian exports. India, a significant consumer of Russian oil alongside China, is under particular scrutiny.
Contrary to Trump’s threats, the Kremlin maintains that it’s unlawful to punish nations that participate in commerce with Russia. Putin seems unlikely to succumb to Trump’s sanctions threat. From Putin’s perspective, he has the upper hand in the conflict, and his military objectives seem to outweigh his aspiration to foster better US-Russia relations. This sentiment is shared by three insiders familiar with Kremlin’s thinking.
As an entrepreneurial magnate from the real estate sector, Witkoff’s visit embodies a desperate attempt towards finding an amicable resolution beneficial for all parties involved. Russia remains adamant about agreeing to a ceasefire, but will only do so under terms they have sought in recent years. Trump’s background pressure for firmer actions, such as hiking tariffs on all countries that procure oil, gas, and potentially uranium, from Russia, further complicates the issue.
Witkoff has sat across Putin in various comprehensive discussions. His role involves multifaceted tasks including securing ceasefires in the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts, as well as handling the delicate topic of Iran’s nuclear program.
Witkoff’s previous visit in April painted a solitary image of the man: he sat alone across from Putin, Dmitriev, and Kremlin’s key foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, without any diplomatic personnel or assistants by his side.
Meanwhile, Ukraine and numerous European allies have voiced contrasting beliefs. Putin’s alleged plans threatening NATO territories have been adamantly denied. Repeatedly, Moscow has dismissed such accusations as mere representation of European animosity and ‘Russophobia’.