Witkoff Arrives in Moscow for Last-Minute Peace Push Before Sanctions Deadline

MOSCOW (Reuters) – U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a high-stakes mission to secure a breakthrough in the Ukraine war, just two days before President Donald Trump’s deadline for Russia to accept peace terms or face sweeping new sanctions.

Witkoff was welcomed by Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s investment envoy and head of the sovereign wealth fund. Russian state media showed the two walking together near the Kremlin, appearing engaged in serious discussion. A source in Washington confirmed Witkoff would meet the Russian leadership, with the Kremlin suggesting a possible meeting with President Vladimir Putin, though not officially confirmed.

Trump, reportedly growing impatient with the lack of progress in Ukraine, has threatened punitive tariffs on nations that continue to purchase Russian exports—especially targeting India, one of Moscow’s largest oil clients alongside China. The Kremlin has rejected such pressure as illegal and counterproductive.

Despite the pressure, sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters that Putin is unlikely to capitulate, believing that Russia holds the upper hand in the war and that military objectives override diplomatic overtures. “The visit of Witkoff is a last-ditch effort to find a face-saving solution for both sides,” said Gerhard Mangott, an Austrian analyst. “But I don’t think there will be any real compromise.”

While Russia has expressed willingness for a ceasefire, Mangott noted, it remains tied to long-standing demands. Trump, meanwhile, may feel compelled to follow through with tariffs not only on Russian oil and gas but potentially uranium as well.

Despite years of Western sanctions, Putin remains skeptical that further penalties will significantly impact Russia’s trajectory. However, Kremlin insiders acknowledge that rejecting U.S. outreach risks further isolating Moscow from the West—something Putin appears willing to accept to achieve his war aims.

Witkoff, a real estate billionaire with no prior diplomatic background, has been charged with brokering ceasefires not only in Ukraine, but also in Gaza and the Iran nuclear crisis.