Trump Envoy Witkoff Arrives in Russia as U.S. Pushes for Peace in Ukraine
Visit comes after Trump expressed frustration with Moscow for delaying peace talks
“… Witkoff arrived in St. Petersburg on Friday where Russian President
Vladimir Putin is holding a meeting with the Russian navy. Witkoff has previously traveled to Russia twice this year to meet with Putin. The Kremlin didn’t confirm whether the two would meet but Witkoff met with a Russian negotiator.
… Trump has in recent weeks shown frustration with Moscow for delaying peace talks. Ukraine has signaled its willingness to agree to a 30-day cease-fire if Russia reciprocates, as discussed in recent talks with U.S. officials. Russia, though, has rebuffed the cease-fire call and slow-walked talks, playing for time to capitalize on its battlefield advances and secure maximum concessions in negotiations.
The Kremlin has instead been touting Washington’s apparent interest in normalizing relations and proposing economic deals between the two countries while putting up conditions for any truce with Kyiv, including lifting of some economic sanctions. …”
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Trump is so frustrated with Russia that he put tariffs on Ukraine (but not Russia or Belarus) … while lifting some sanctions on Russia and Russians.