Moscow, Aug 6 (AP): Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow on Wednesday, as reported by the Kremlin. The meeting took place just days before the White House's deadline for Russia to secure a peace agreement with Ukraine, which if unmet, may lead to significant economic sanctions that may also affect countries purchasing Russian oil.
The Kremlin has yet to release further information about the meeting. Earlier in the day, footage aired by TASS depicted Witkoff taking a morning walk through Zaryadye Park, close to the Kremlin, accompanied by Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's envoy for investment and economic cooperation. Dmitriev has been instrumental in facilitating three rounds of direct meetings between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, as well as discussions between Russian and U.S. officials.
These negotiations have yet to yield any progress in resolving the three-year conflict that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Trump's deadline for Putin expires on Friday, with Washington threatening "severe tariffs" and other economic repercussions if hostilities do not cease.
Trump has growing dissatisfaction with Putin due to Russia's intensified strikes on Ukrainian civilian areas, which aim to undermine public morale and support for the conflict. Despite Trump's recent appeals for Putin to relent, the attacks have persisted.
On Tuesday night into Wednesday, Russian forces targeted a recreational center in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region, resulting in two deaths and 12 injuries, including two children, according to regional Governor Ivan Fedorov on Wednesday.
Russian forces launched at least four strikes in the area, initially employing powerful glide bombs.
"There is zero military sense in this strike. Only cruelty to intimidate," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on Telegram.
Russia also attacked the Ukrainian power grid and gas facilities as Ukraine prepares for the winter season.
Western analysts and Ukrainian officials suggest that Putin is delaying negotiations while Russian forces attempt to seize more Ukrainian territory. A Russian offensive that commenced in the spring and is expected to continue through fall is seeing faster progress than last year's effort, but gains remain slow and costly, with no major cities captured.
While the frontline situation is dire for Ukrainian forces, defenses are unlikely to collapse, according to analysts.
On Tuesday, Trump remarked, "We'll see what happens," regarding the potential imposition of tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil. These could substantially increase import taxes on China and India.
"We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow," Trump stated. "We're going to see what happens. We'll make that determination at that time." The president also noted that he has not yet committed to a specific tariff rate.
Increased diplomatic and economic pressure on the Kremlin could elevate international tensions amid worsening Russia-U.S. relations.
The Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis cautioned this week that "clear signs indicate the Kremlin is preparing for a broader confrontation with NATO," including a military build-up along Russia's western border with alliance countries in recent years.
Putin has strengthened Russia's military alliances with China, North Korea, and Iran. Meanwhile, NATO announced on Tuesday that it is coordinating regular deliveries of substantial Western weapons packages to Ukraine. European allies and Canada are sourcing most of this equipment from the United States. The Trump administration is not providing military aid to Ukraine.
Putin has not shown any willingness to make concessions. Instead, he and senior Kremlin officials have emphasized Russia's military capabilities.
Last week, Putin announced that Russia's new hypersonic missile, which he claims cannot be intercepted by current NATO air defense systems, has entered service.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned that the Ukraine conflict could bring Russia and the U.S. into armed confrontation. In response, Trump ordered the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed Witkoff's visit on Monday, describing it as "important, substantive, and very useful."
Initially, Trump provided Moscow with a 50-day deadline, later moving it up due to continued Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities. Nevertheless, Trump expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of sanctions, stating on Sunday that Russia has adeptly circumvented penalties. "They're wily characters," he remarked about the Russians.
The Kremlin maintains that international sanctions, imposed since its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, have had limited effect.
Ukraine asserts that the sanctions are impacting Moscow's war capabilities and urges Western allies to intensify them. (AP) GSP
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