A special envoy of the US President Steve Witkoff could travel to Russia this weekthe White House chief Donald Trump confirmed on the night of Monday. According to him, the visit could take place on Wednesday or Thursday. According to the AFP report, TASR reports this.
Trump announced last Tuesday that it would give Russia ten days to end the conflict in Ukraine. He originally set this deadline to 50 days, but later shortened it. The new date will be 8 August. If Russia fails to comply with the deadline, Trump threatened to impose 100 % duties on Moscow’s business partners. According to the US President, Witkoff is currently focusing on questions about the Gaza band, but it can still travel to Russia, which more than three years ago attacked neighboring Ukraine militarily.
“I think next week, Wednesday or Thursday (6th and 7th August), maybe he will go to Russia. They would like to see him. They asked him to meet. We’ll see what happens,” Trump said on Sunday local time to journalists. He first mentioned Witkoff’s journey to Russia last Thursday after a massive attack on Kiev when he described Russian shelling as disgusting.
When asked what it will follow if Russia does not approach the ceasefire or ends the war by the desired date, Trump replied that he would impose sanctions. “Well, there will be sanctions, but it seems that (Russians) are quite good in their circumvention. You know, they are cunning people,” declared the US President. According to him, Moscow can avoid the “agreement that people will stop dying”.
In addition, Trump announced that two nuclear submarines, which for the “provocative statements” of the Vice -Chairman of the Council of the Russian Federation of Dmitry Medvedev had moved closer to Russia, are already “in the region”. He did not specify whether he meant nuclear submarines or nuclear weapons submarines. He did not specify the places of their posting, which the US army usually keeps secret.
According to the United States, Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, despite the United States pressure. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, who refuses calls for a ceasefire, said on Friday that he is interested in peace, but that his requirements for the end of the war remain unchanged. These include that Ukraine will give up its territory and ambition to join NATO.
