Trump Envoy Meets With Putin as Ukraine Peace Deadline Looms

With the clock ticking on President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to end the war in Ukraine, his special envoy Steve Witkoff held a three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday a high-stakes diplomatic move that could reshape the global balance of power.

The meeting comes just two days before Trump’s peace deadline, in which he warned Putin to either strike a deal with Ukraine or face crippling secondary tariffs. Trump, who has made ending the war a top foreign policy priority in his second term, described the talks as “highly productive” in a post on Truth Social.

“Great progress was made!” Trump wrote. “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.”

The Kremlin confirmed the meeting and called it a “very useful and constructive conversation,” focusing on the Ukraine conflict and possible future “strategic cooperation” between the U.S. and Russia. Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov said the Kremlin would await a full report from Witkoff before commenting further.

Also in attendance was Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, indicating the talks weren’t just military they were also economic.

Here’s what makes this moment critical:

• This was Witkoff’s fifth meeting with Putin since Trump’s second term began, but by far the most urgent given Trump’s shortened peace deadline.

• Trump has repositioned two nuclear submarines in response to recent threats from former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, warning that “words can lead to unintended consequences.”

• If Russia doesn’t move toward peace by Friday, Trump has vowed to impose 100% secondary tariffs, targeting nations like India and China that continue to fund Russia’s war effort by buying its oil.

“Medvedev should watch his words,” Trump said last week. “He’s entering very dangerous territory!”

Russia responded cautiously, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reminding the world that “there can be no winner in a nuclear war” signaling that Moscow is feeling the heat, even as it tries to keep its rhetoric restrained.

Still, Russian airstrikes on Ukraine have increased in recent weeks, complicating the path to peace. And while Trump’s critics claim he’s too aggressive, the administration’s tough posture is forcing conversations the Biden White House never could.

Biden-era diplomacy delivered years of war, blank checks to Ukraine, and zero accountability for the global players keeping Russia afloat. Trump’s strategy? Cut off the cash, ratchet up the pressure, and force action not more empty summits.

The next 48 hours could be decisive. If Putin doesn’t yield, Trump’s tariffs will slam India and China, likely slashing the revenue Russia relies on to fund its war machine. That’s not just foreign policy it’s leverage, and it’s working.

The media won’t give Trump credit. But behind the scenes, even America’s European allies are finally acknowledging this war has gone on long enough, and only Trump is serious about ending it.

Watch this story closely and share it with someone who still believes peace through strength works. Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates as the deadline approaches.