As expected, no breakthrough: Witkoff had a three-hour talk with Putin ahead of Trump’s deadline.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for three hours in Moscow on August 6. The Kremlin described the discussions as “useful and constructive”, happening two days before the deadline Trump set for Russia to achieve peace in Ukraine – with new sanctions threatened to be imposed by Washington otherwise.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said the sides exchanged signals on Ukraine and discussed potential strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington. Details will be kept confidential until Witkoff returns to the US and reports to Trump. Observers see Witkoff’s visit as a last effort to avoid severe consequences from Trump’s ultimatum. However, Kremlin sources stressed for Reuters that Putin isn’t ready to compromise, believing in his superior position in the war.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, also doubts Witkoff’s meeting with Putin will end the war, as Russia cannot present real solutions. “Putin needs not only actual occupation but also European recognition of his right to seize new lands. His aim is to buy time, keep profits from oil and gas exports to India, Brazil, and China, and get softer rhetoric from the Trump administration while reducing US focus on the war”, Podolyak says.