On the eve of Trump’s ultimatum, Putin meeting and special envoy was ‘constructive’ and involved ‘signal exchange’, says Kremlin

Vladimir Putin with US special envoy Steve Witkoff Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via Reuters The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Trump government special, Steve Witkoff, was “useful and constructive”, and involved a “signal exchange” between Moscow and Washington, second Putin’s advisors. The meeting took place two days before the end of the ultimatum established by US President Donald Trump for Russia to finish the war in Ukraine under threats of imposing “severe rates” of 100% on Russians and their business partners. ✅ Click here to follow the G1 international news channel on WhatsApp “US President Steve Witkoff’s special envoy was received by our president this morning. They had a very useful and constructive conversation (…) they discussed the crisis in Ukraine and the prospects for developing the strategic partnership between Russia and the US. Kremlin advisor Yury Ushakov told journalists. However, Ushakov gave no further details about what this “signal change” was, or if it would mean a possible postponement in the imposition of Tarump tariffs, scheduled for this Friday (8). The CEO of the Russian Investment Fund and Putin Special Envoy for Investment and Economic Cooperation, Kirill Dmitiev, also called the “Constructive” meeting and said “the dialogue will prevail.” Escalad of US-Russian tensions The meeting between Putin and Witkoff took place in a room at Kremlin in Moscow and lasted about three hours. Russian government advisors, such as Ushakov and Dmitiev, were also present. The handshake with smiles between Russian leader and Trump’s emissary at the beginning of the meeting contrast with the current phase in US-Russian relations, climbing tensions and threats. The emissary, Trump’s right -hand man in peace missions, had already gathered on several occasions with Putin, without getting an agreement to end the war. Relations between Moscow and Washington have been tense since last week after Trump sent two nuclear submarines in response to threats from former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev with the apocalyptic nuclear system “dead hand”. In addition, the US President gave Russia a period of 10 days, until Friday (8), for the country to stop his offensive in Ukraine or faces new sanctions that have been specified. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky asked “reinforcement of all the levers that the United States, Europe and the G7” against Russia, taking advantage of Witkoff in Moscow. Kremlin will only “seek to end the war when he feels enough pressure,” he said. Trump also threatened to impose additional rates on countries that trade with Russia, such as China and India. The Republican, who began his second term in January with the promise of ending the war in Ukraine in a few days, is increasingly frustrated with Putin. When journalists asked what Witkoff’s message would be Moscow and if Russia could avoid sanctions, he replied, “Yes, reach a deal so that people stop dying.” Moscow replied that he considers the “illegitimate” threats. Trump’s purchase of weapons said he would await the result of the meeting in Moscow before deciding on the sanctions. “Let’s see what happens (…) we will do the determination right now,” he said. Despite the American pressure, the fighting continues: the Ukrainian authorities reported that at least two people died and 10 were injured in Wednesday dawn in the Zaporizehzia region. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the interception of 51 Ukrainian drones at dawn from Tuesday to Wednesday. The Russian army launched 6,297 drones against Ukraine in July, a record since the beginning of the invasion in 2022, according to an AFP survey based on data released by Kiev. To reinforce the defenses of Ukraine, Sweden, Denmark and Norway announced on Tuesday the intention of buying US weapons. Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo will donate $ 500 million (2.75 billion reais) in military aid, including air defense systems, anti -tanker weapons, ammunition and spare parts. “Ukraine does not just fight for its own security, but also for ours,” said Sweden Defense Minister Pal Jonson. Last month, the US President announced a project in collaboration with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, so that European allies and Canada get US weapons, including Patriot Advanced Systems. Putin said on Friday he wants peace, but refuses to reduce his demands. The Russian President asks Ukraine to give four partially occupied regions (Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizehzia and Kherson), as well as Crimea, attached in 2014, and that the country waive for the provision of Western weapons and the NATO membership project. Kiev considers unacceptable conditions. Trump’s sent to Putin near expire ultimatum

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