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Trump considers envoy visit to Russia amid tensions

Steve Witkoff's trip aims to push for a peace deal with Ukraine before new tariffs.

August 5, 2025 at 03:14 PM
blur 'Last chance' - Witkoff effort in Russia unlikely to change Trump’s course, analysts say

Amid rising tensions, Trump considers sending Steve Witkoff to Russia while facing a tight deadline.

Trump's envoy visit to Russia unlikely to shift negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump is contemplating sending his special envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia in the coming days, although the visit remains unconfirmed by Russian officials. Tentatively scheduled for August 6 or 7, this move coincides with a new deadline Trump set for Moscow to finalize a peace deal regarding Ukraine, or risk facing additional tariffs on oil exports. Former U.S. special representative for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, expressed skepticism about the potential outcomes of this visit, suggesting it is merely an opportunity for Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend diplomatic conversations without yielding actual progress. The backdrop of this diplomatic maneuvering includes Trump’s recently hardened stance against Russia, evidenced by a decrease in the time allowed for negotiations from 50 to just ten days and the deployment of nuclear submarines in the region.

Key Takeaways

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Trump's deadline for Russia to negotiate is just ten days, a dramatic reduction.
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Witkoff's prior visits show a different diplomatic approach towards Russia.
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Former officials doubt this visit will bring substantive changes in negotiations.
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Russia's economy appears resilient despite ongoing sanctions from multiple countries.
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Many analysts do not expect any significant breakthroughs from the upcoming meeting.
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Trump's rhetoric indicates a newfound skepticism about Russia as a negotiating partner.

"I think this is an effort to give Putin one last chance before the U.S. imposes harsher measures."

Kurt Volker discusses the intent behind Witkoff's potential visit.

"I do not expect any breakthroughs. It simply cannot happen, given Moscow’s extreme position."

Oleksandr Kraiev shares skepticism about potential outcomes from discussions.

"If we are talking about sanctions, we must remember the ultimate goal is to deprive Russia of profits from oil and gas sales."

Oleksandr Merezhko highlights the importance of effective sanctions.

"There'll be sanctions, but they seem to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions."

Trump acknowledges the challenges of imposing effective sanctions on Russia.

The proposed visit of Steve Witkoff illustrates a complex shift in U.S.-Russia relations under Trump's leadership. While on one hand, it seems an effort to extend an olive branch to Putin, on the other hand, recent remarks and actions from Trump suggest a tougher approach. This juxtaposition reflects a broader trend where U.S. administrations often oscillate between engagement and pressure in response to geopolitical conflicts. As Trump's administration approaches potential sanctions, the efficacy and determination behind these threats remain in question amid growing skepticism from Ukrainian officials regarding the commitment to hold Russia accountable.

Highlights

  • Witkoff's visit may offer Putin one last chance, but expectations are low.
  • Russia seems ready to stretch negotiations while avoiding real change.
  • Sanctions are on the table, but effectiveness remains doubtful.
  • Trump's tougher stance may reflect growing frustration with Russia.

Potential fallout from Trump's diplomatic efforts

Trump’s approach to negotiations with Russia raises concerns, particularly given the sensitivity surrounding sanctions and potential political backlash.

Future developments in U.S.-Russia relations may depend on how Trump navigates this critical period.

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