Trump's designated envoy touches down in Moscow on a Wednesday.
U.S. Special Representative Heads to Moscow Ahead of Ukraine Ceasefire Deadline
Steve Whitkoff, the U.S. Special Representative, is scheduled to arrive in Moscow on August 6, 2020, as announced by US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce. The visit comes just a day or two before the deadline set by Washington for a ceasefire on Ukraine.
Whitkoff's mission in Moscow is to hold talks with the Russian leadership, aimed at ending Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During his meetings, Witkoff is expected to discuss the terms of a possible ceasefire and peace deal to halt the ongoing conflict, which has seen intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine despite previous ultimatums.
The agenda includes addressing Russia's continued drone and missile strikes and exploring whether Moscow might be willing to suspend air strikes as a first step toward ending the war. His visit marks the fifth since February 2022 and involves conversations not only on Ukraine but also broader issues related to U.S.-Russia relations.
On August 6, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Witkoff at the Kremlin. Reports suggest skepticism about any breakthrough, with Russian commentators viewing the talks as a possible stalling tactic by Putin to seek sanctions relief in exchange for peace, essentially equating peace with Ukraine’s capitulation.
In a recent statement, US President Donald Trump has reiterated that if there is no progress in the peace process, he will impose new sanctions on Moscow and its trading partners that continue to purchase Russian energy resources despite international pressure. The deadline set by Washington for a ceasefire on Ukraine has been August 8.
Reuters reported that an aircraft carrying Steve Whitkoff departed from the US on the evening of August 5, 2020, citing an informed source. More details about the situation can be found in an article by Gazeta.Ru. The specific agenda of the talks between Steve Whitkoff and the Russian leadership is not specified.
- The ongoing discussions regarding war-and-conflicts, specifically concerning Ukraine and its ceasefire, are at the heart of Steve Whitkoff's upcoming meetings with the Russian leadership in Moscow.
- As the deadline for the Ukraine ceasefire approaches, political discussions surrounding the issue are not limited to just Ukraine, as broader issues related to U.S.-Russia relations and the general news agendas are also expected to be addressed during Whitkoff's visit.
