US Envoy Witz to Journey to Russia on either Wednesday or Thursday - US envoy Witkoff prepares to visit Russia, set for departure on either Wednesday or Thursday
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to strain US-Russia relations, with both sides locked in a stalemate. Over the weekend, Russian air defense shot down 61 drones from Ukraine, highlighting the escalating tensions [1].
Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met President Putin for three hours on August 6, 2025, in a meeting described as "productive" but yielding no concrete ceasefire agreement. Russia continues to demand sweeping concessions such as Ukrainian neutrality, NATO non-expansion, and recognition of Russian claims over occupied Ukrainian territories—terms firmly rejected by Ukraine [2].
The U.S. and its European partners are maintaining pressure on Russia through sanctions and diplomatic efforts, including threats of severe tariffs on Russia and its allies if a peace agreement is not reached [4]. The U.S. insists on including Ukraine and its European partners in any negotiation framework to avoid symbolic outcomes without real resolution [1].
In a tactical move, the U.S. has deployed nuclear submarines as diplomatic signals. The movement of a "nuclear" submarine, a strategy employed during the Trump administration, is seen less as an escalation of the nuclear balance and more as a calibrated political message to Russia [3]. Russian official rhetoric in response has been muted, suggesting this tactic is more of a negotiating posture than an aggressive escalation.
However, the specific details about the location and capabilities of the dispatched submarines remain undisclosed. After his return to the White House, Trump had promised a quick end to the war in Ukraine, but recently, he has expressed increasing frustration with Moscow [5].
On Monday, one person was killed in Russian attacks in the Ukrainian region of Kherson, as announced on Telegram [6]. Despite Trump's threats of new sanctions, Russia remains unmoved [7].
There is some positive news, though, as preparations for a prisoner exchange are underway on both sides, as agreed upon in talks in Turkey in July [8]. Ukrainian Presidential Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, welcomed Trump's announced deployment [9].
In response to Trump's threats, Kremlin spokesman Peskov advised caution regarding nuclear issues [10]. Peskov also stated that the two US submarines have already been on duty [11].
On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack, according to Russian authorities, caused a fire in an oil depot near the Black Sea resort of Sochi [12]. Despite Putin's consistent rejection of proposals for a ceasefire [13], preparations for a prisoner exchange, which would see 1200 soldiers return to Ukraine, were announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy [14].
As the conflict persists, both sides remain cautious, with the U.S. showing readiness for harder diplomatic measures under Trump’s directives but also skepticism by officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio [1][2][3][4]. The stalemate in Ukraine continues to underscore the cautious signaling through military deployments and tough economic messaging between the two nations.
Donald Trump, the US President, has recently expressed increasing frustration with Moscow over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, after traveling to Russia on Wednesday or Thursday, will meet with US President Trump to discuss the situation further.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced preparations for a prisoner exchange, which could see 1200 soldiers return to Ukraine, despite Putin's consistent rejection of proposals for a ceasefire. This prisoner exchange, agreed upon in talks in Turkey in July, is one positive news amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia in politics and general-news.
