'Putin Not Ruling Out Meeting With Zelenskyy But...': Kremlin Ahead Of US-Russia Talks

Last Updated:August 04, 2025, 15:53 IST

The Kremlin's response came after Donald Trump confirmed that his special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Russia next week ahead of a looming sanctions deadline.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (File)

The Kremlin said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had not ruled out a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to discuss a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict, now approaching its fourth year, but suitable preparations had not been made for such a visit.

This came after US President Donald Trump, who has been increasingly frustrated with Russia’s lack of willingness to end the war, confirmed that his special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Russia next week, ahead of a looming US sanctions deadline.

Ahead of talks between Witkoff and Putin, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “Putin isn’t ruling out meeting with Zelenskyy. However, this would require careful preparation, which has not been carried out yet."

Peskov said the upcoming visit by Witkoff would be important and helpful. “We are always happy to see Mr Witkoff in Moscow… We consider such contact important, substantial and helpful," he added.

Trump’s Frustration With Russia

Putin has already met Witkoff multiple times in Moscow, before Trump’s efforts to mend ties with the Kremlin came to a grinding halt as Russia refused to make concessions and agree to a ceasefire deal with Ukraine, despite months of US efforts.

Trump had initially given Russia and Ukraine 50 days to resolve the conflict and come to an agreement, or he would hit Moscow with 100% tariffs. However, he later drastically reduced the deadline to 10-12 days after Moscow’s reluctance.

When reporters asked what Witkoff’s message would be to Moscow, and if there was anything Russia could do to avoid the sanctions, Trump replied: “Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed."

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