US special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to visit Moscow on Wednesday (6 August), according to Russian and US sources cited by Russian news agency TASS \u2014 just a few days before US president Donald Trump’s deadline for Moscow to end the war. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Last week, Trump threatened Russia with\u00a0sanctions unless the Kremlin agreed to a ceasefire by Friday, de facto shortening the original 50-day deadline previously given to Moscow.<\/p>\n
During a meeting with UK prime minister Keir Starmer\u00a0in Scotland, the American president told reporters that he was \u201cdisappointed\u201d with Russian president Vladimir Putin, as no progress was being made.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“President Trump\u2019s deadline for a ceasefire is approaching. Finland supports all efforts towards an immediate ceasefire. Longterm negotiations must lead to a lasting and just peace,\u201d Finland’s president Alexander Stubb said<\/a> on Monday after he held a phone call with Trump.\u00a0<\/p>\n For his part, Andriy Yermak,\u00a0a top aide to Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky, called out what he described as another “delay” for any meaningful talks on a ceasefire, pushing instead for a “meeting of leaders” between Zelensky and Putin.<\/p>\n And the Kremlin has so far responded cautiously, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov describing Witkoff\u2019s potential visit as \u201cimportant, substantial and helpful\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n Peskov also said everyone should be cautious over “nuclear rhetoric” after the recent spat between Trump and former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev involving the potential use of nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n Last week, Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to “be positioned in the appropriate regions” in response to what he called \u201chighly provocative\u201d remarks by Medvedev.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Ukraine remains under pressure.<\/p>\n Zelensky said on Monday that mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries are actively fighting alongside Russian forces, and he vowed a response as he visited the frontline in the northeastern Kharkiv region.<\/p>\n Ukraine has previously accused Russia of recruiting Chinese mercenaries, while hundreds of North Korean soldiers have also been reportedly killed\u00a0fighting in Russia’s war in Ukraine.\u00a0<\/p>\n In a show of support, the Netherlands said it would become the first country to use Nato\u2019s new clearinghouse mechanism to provide Ukraine with American weapons.\u00a0<\/p>\n “As the first Nato ally, the Netherlands will deliver a \u20ac500m package of US weapon systems (including Patriot parts and missiles),” Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans wrote on X.<\/p>\n Patriot systems are crucial for Ukraine’s air defence, protecting cities and infrastructure by intercepting Russian missiles and drones.<\/p>\n Nato chief (and former Dutch PM) Mark Rutte welcomed the announcement, saying he expected other countries to follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n “This is about getting Ukraine the equipment it urgently needs now to defend itself against Russian aggression,” said Rutte.<\/p>\n Zelensky also showed gratitude for the Dutch decision.<\/p>\n “Ukraine, and thus the whole of Europe, will be better protected from Russian terror,” Zelenskiy said<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n “I am sincerely grateful to the Netherlands for their substantial contribution to strengthening Ukraine’s air shield,” he added.<\/p>\n As Trump\u2019s 8 August deadline looms large, the US insists the sanctions package is ready and will hit hard, potentially targeting Russian oil exports. <\/p>\n