U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will visit Russia on Wednesday or Thursday, just one or two days before the expiration of the U.S. ultimatum for President Vladimir Putin to take steps to end the war in Ukraine.
“The envoy’s visit will be next week, on Wednesday or Thursday,” Trump told reporters late last night.
He also revealed that two American nuclear submarines, which he ordered to be deployed following an online dispute with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, are now in the region. Trump did not clarify whether these are nuclear-powered or armed with nuclear warheads, nor did he disclose their exact location, which remains classified by the U.S. military.
This show of force comes as Trump’s deadline for Moscow to act to end the war approaches. If not met, the U.S. has threatened to impose new sanctions.
President Putin has already met Witkoff several times in Moscow, before Trump’s efforts to reset relations with the Kremlin were abruptly halted in the past.
When asked about Witkoff’s message to Moscow and whether Russia could do anything to avoid sanctions, Trump replied: “Yes — reach an agreement and stop people from being killed.”
Trump has also threatened to introduce “secondary tariffs” on countries that continue trading with Russia, including China and India.
