US envoy Witkoff arrives in Russia ahead of sanctions
A motorcade, carrying US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, leaves Vnukovo Airport in Moscow. Photo: Reuters
US envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Wednesday, state media reported, where he will meet with Russian leadership as US President Donald Trump's deadline to impose fresh sanctions over the conflict with Ukraine looms.
Trump has given Russia until Friday to halt its military operations or face new penalties.
The White House has not outlined specific actions it plans to take on Friday, but Trump has previously threatened to impose "secondary tariffs" that could affect Russia's trading partners.
The move would aim to stifle Russian exports, but would risk significant international disruption.
Trump said on Tuesday that he would await the outcome of the Moscow talks before moving forward with any economic retaliation.
"We're going to see what happens," he told reporters. "We'll make that determination at that time."
After arriving in Moscow, Witkoff was met by presidential special representative Kirill Dmitriev, Russian state news agency TASS said.
An American source did not specify if the meetings would include Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Witkoff has met with several times previously. (AFP)
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