Moscow, Aug 6 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin received US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, amid his scheduled meeting in Russia today. The meeting is taking place in the Kremlin, the presidential press service said, as per state media TASS.

Witkoff arrived in Moscow early morning on Wednesday and was met at Vnukovo-2 Airport by the Russian President's special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev.

An hour later, they walked together in the capital's Zaryadye Park, located within walking distance of the Kremlin.

Washington’s special envoy to the Middle East, this marks Witkoff’s fifth visit to Russia since the beginning of the year.

Last time the US leader's special envoy came to Moscow for talks was on April 25, and before that - on April 11 to St. Petersburg. Putin received him on both occasions.

The visit comes on the sidelines of US President Donald Trump’s threat of imposing additional sanctions on Russia by August 9, should it refuse to reach a settlement with Ukraine – with the Trump administration having made its frustration over the war clear – which was mocked by Moscow in turn.

Despite his threat, Trump noted that Russia was coping well with sanctions and any additional tariffs were unlikely to have much effect. When asked whether Moscow could avoid Washington imposing restrictions, Trump replied that for this to happen, a "deal where people stop getting killed" must be concluded.

On July 14, Trump said that the US would impose import duties of approximately 100% on Russia and its trading partners, if an agreement on a settlement in Ukraine was not reached within 50 days. Leading to a huge verbal spat between the POTUS and former Russian President and now head of the country’s National Security Council - Dmitry Medvedev.

On July 29, Trump said that he had decided to reduce this period to 10 days. On August 5, Trump said that the US would later decide whether to impose the said import duties. Washington's further steps would depend on the outcome of Witkoff's talks in Moscow, he added.



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