Witkoff meets with Putin in Russia

Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, just days before President Trump’s deadline for the Kremlin to end its war with Ukraine or face harsh penalties.

Yuri Ushakov, Mr. Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, called the meeting “useful” with a “constructive conversation” and said it focused on Ukraine and “prospects for possible development of strategic cooperation between the U.S. and Russia.”

Mr. Trump said his special envoy “had a highly productive meeting” with Mr. Putin.

“Great progress was made!” the president said in a social media post. “Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come.”

Mr. Putin’s envoy for investment and economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, was also present for the meeting with Mr. Witkoff. Mr. Dmitriev played a key role in three rounds of direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, along with discussions between Russian and U.S. officials.

In a social media post, Mr. Dmitriev said, “Constructive US-Russia dialogue continues and is critical for global security and peace.”

Mr. Trump said late last month that Russia had 10 days to agree to a peace deal with Ukraine or face deeper sanctions and penalties. The president also threatened secondary sanctions on the countries purchasing Russian energy.

“Ten days from today, and then, you know, we’re going to put on tariffs and stuff,” Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “I don’t know if it’s going to affect Russia because he wants to, obviously, probably keep the war going, but we’re going to put on tariffs and various things that you put on. It may or may not affect them.”

The 10 days were a much shorter deadline than the initial 50-day window Mr. Trump gave Russia earlier this year.

Russia has been exempt from the list of countries that have been slapped with tariffs since it has already been hit with sanctions. But the president is hoping the threat of more penalties on Russia and countries that get energy from it will put pressure on Moscow to end the war.

Dimitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, said the deadline will not end well for the U.S.

The president has grown increasingly frustrated with Russia over the war with Ukraine. Russia has continued its attacks, with another overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, killing two and injuring 12.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “There is zero military sense in this strike. Only cruelty to intimidate.”

Tensions have grown between Mr. Trump and Mr. Medvedev, with the president calling him “the failed former president of Russia” and Mr. Medvedev responding with a threatening message.

In response, Mr. Trump said he positioned two nuclear submarines “in the appropriate regions” near Russia “just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.”

• This story is based in part on wire service reports.