With sanctions looming and patience running thin, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Donald Trump’s trusted envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow this week in a dramatic last-minute attempt to stop what could be the most punishing sanctions yet from the U.S. Witkoff, known more for his real estate career than diplomatic finesse, landed in Russia on Wednesday and was greeted by Kremlin investment chief Kirill Dmitriev before heading straight to a three-hour meeting with Putin.
The stakes? Nothing short of avoiding a fresh round of economic pain Trump has threatened to unleash unless Russia shows real progress on ending the war in Ukraine.
Putin is still holding firm to his ambitions – capturing territories like Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson – while Trump is signaling he’s reached his limit. The former president-turned-current leader has grown increasingly vocal about Putin’s refusal to cooperate. His frustration hit new highs in recent weeks as Russia amped up its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, ignoring multiple US-led peace efforts.
The Witkoff meeting marks a shift in tone and urgency, especially as Trump has issued a Friday deadline: peace or punishment. If no deal is struck, he’s promised new sanctions, not just on Russia, but also on countries like China and India that continue to buy Russian energy. These so-called “secondary tariffs” could cut straight into Russia’s war funds. According to White House insiders, Trump’s seriously considering these penalties, and while he’s open to backing down if Putin offers something real, no one’s holding their breath.
Trump also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the day before Witkoff’s visit. They reportedly discussed weapons aid and the potential economic blow Moscow might face if sanctions land. Zelensky later posted that the sanctions could “change a lot,” especially if they hit Russia’s energy exports, the backbone of Putin’s war chest.
Back in the U.S., the tension is just as high. Trump’s even repositioned two U.S. nuclear submarines – though it’s unclear if this was an actual move or a PR tactic to remind the world who’s boss. Still, with statements like “Putin will stop killing people if you get energy down another $10 a barrel,” it’s clear Trump’s playing the energy card hard, hoping to suffocate Russia’s economy into submission.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Russian security council member Dmitry Medvedev’s recent threats irrelevant, but that didn’t stop Trump from using them as fuel to ramp up U.S. presence. With the clock ticking down to the August 8 deadline, the global stakes are massive, and it’s not just Russia feeling the pressure.
India, one of Russia’s biggest energy buyers, is also in Trump’s crosshairs. He’s already talking about hiking tariffs on New Delhi if they don’t cut back on buying Russian oil. China, on the other hand, is a trickier piece of the puzzle. Trump’s chasing a new trade deal with Beijing, so whether he’ll slap penalties on them too remains to be seen. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has already warned China during recent talks in Stockholm: keep buying Russian oil, and sanctions could follow.
Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have grown closer in the past year. Their cooperation extends beyond oil to drone and weapons component support – a concern that U.S. intelligence is watching closely. Putin and Xi are expected to meet again in early September in Beijing, adding even more intrigue to the diplomatic chessboard.
As for Witkoff, this is his first trip back to Moscow since April. Trump has kept him at arm’s length in recent months as Russia refused to move on peace talks. But now, all eyes are back on the New York real estate mogul turned envoy, despite past concerns about his lack of diplomatic chops – especially when he attended multiple Putin meetings without a U.S. translator.
The clock is ticking, tensions are rising, and what comes out of this high-stakes visit could shift the entire balance of U.S.-Russia relations. Whether Witkoff convinced Putin to play ball – or just got played himself – will soon become very clear.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
