U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, may travel to Russia this coming week, potentially on Wednesday or Thursday as Trump warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a deal by 8 August, Washington will impose new economic sanctions.
"Well, there'll be sanctions, but they seem to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions. You know, they're wily characters," Trump told reporters. "Steve is focused right now on the border in terms of Gaza, getting people fed. And he may be going... I think next week, Wednesday or Thursday, may be going to Russia. They've asked that he meet. So we'll see what happens."
The announcement follows a shift in tone from the U.S. president, who has recently distanced himself from earlier conciliatory rhetoric towards Moscow. Instead, Trump has signalled increased support for Ukraine, including openness to sending more military aid if Russia fails to halt its attacks.
While Witkoff’s trip may include humanitarian discussions linked to Gaza, Trump confirmed that Russian officials have invited him for talks, indicating a possible diplomatic opening.
Frontlines heating up
The diplomatic efforts come amid an intensifying conflict. Russia has claimed gains in Donetsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv, while also announcing it had struck Ukrainian drone facilities and shot down more than 300 Ukrainian drones in one day.
In response, Ukraine launched a series of drone strikes deep inside Russian territory, targeting fuel storage sites, a drone operations base, and an electronics plant. Several people were reported killed or injured in the attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had launched more than 5,000 glide bombs and thousands of drones in July alone, urging the international community to toughen sanctions and halt the attacks.
Countdown to 8 August
President Trump has drawn a clear line, stating that if Moscow does not move towards a ceasefire by 8 August, new sanctions will follow. While the administration has not yet detailed the scope of the measures, they are expected to target key Russian economic sectors.
Witkoff’s potential trip to Russia could play a role in testing the Kremlin’s willingness to negotiate. The U.S. has not confirmed whether the envoy will meet Putin directly, but Trump said Russia “would like to see him,” adding that the visit will depend on evolving circumstances.
With tensions rising and the conflict escalating, the coming days are likely to determine whether diplomacy can gain ground or whether Washington will escalate pressure through fresh sanctions.
Experts say COP30 failed to deliver concrete commitments on fossil fuels and deforestation despite high expectations....
The leader of Yemen’s southern separatists failed to travel to Riyadh for crisis talks on Wednesday, leaving his fate unclear and complicating effor...
A U.S. immigration agent shot and killed a 37-year-old woman in her car in Minneapolis on Wednesday, local and federal officials said, amid an expande...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the United States to target Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechnya region, with an op...
U.S. President Donald Trump said he will stop defence contractors from paying dividends or buying back shares until weapons production speeds up, crit...
Experts say COP30 failed to deliver concrete commitments on fossil fuels and deforestation despite high expectations.
The leader of Yemen’s southern separatists failed to travel to Riyadh for crisis talks on Wednesday, leaving his fate unclear and complicating efforts to contain a military escalation that has widened a rift between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
A U.S. immigration agent shot and killed a 37-year-old woman in her car in Minneapolis on Wednesday, local and federal officials said, amid an expanded immigration enforcement operation ordered by President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the United States to target Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechnya region, with an operation similar to the recent U.S. action that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources reported a significant movement of U.S. military aircraft towards the Middle East in recent hours. Dozens of U.S. Air Force aerial refuelling tankers and heavy transport aircraft were observed heading eastwards, presumably to staging points in the region.
Diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing escalated as Japan slams China's export ban on dual-use goods. Markets have wobbled as fears grow over a potential rare earth embargo affecting global supply chains.
Iran’s chief justice has warned protesters there will be “no leniency for those who help the enemy against the Islamic Republic”, as rights groups reported a rising death toll during what observers describe as the country’s biggest wave of unrest in three years.
Two people have been killed after a private helicopter crashed at a recreation centre in Russia’s Perm region, Russian authorities and local media have said.
"Change is coming to Iran" according to U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday (6 January). He warned Iran that "if you keep killing your people for wanting a better life, Donald Trump is going to kill you."
Power has been fully restored to a neighbourhood in Berlin after an arson attack triggered a blackout that lasted more than four days — the second such incident in the city since September.
A U.S. immigration agent shot and killed a 37-year-old woman in her car in Minneapolis on Wednesday, local and federal officials said, amid an expanded immigration enforcement operation ordered by President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the United States to target Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechnya region, with an operation similar to the recent U.S. action that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he will stop defence contractors from paying dividends or buying back shares until weapons production speeds up, criticising the industry for delays and high costs.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will meet Danish leaders next week, signalling that Washington is not retreating from President Donald Trump’s stated goal of acquiring Greenland, despite mounting concern among European allies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment