Trump Sends Envoy to Russia, Signals Looming Sanctions
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Steve Witkoff, his special envoy to the Middle East, will travel to Russia following a diplomatic stop in Israel.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Bloomberg.
The trip comes just days before an August 8 deadline set by Trump for Moscow to cease its military operations in Ukraine or face sweeping new sanctions.
“Yeah, going to Israel and then he’s going to Russia, believe it or not,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
Trump confirmed that if Russia does not comply with his demands for a ceasefire, the U.S. will impose sanctions.
However, he expressed skepticism about their effectiveness in swaying Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We have about eight days, so yeah, we’re going to put sanctions,” Trump said. “I don’t know that sanctions bother him.”
The president originally issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia on July 14, but shortened the timeline this week, citing frustration with the Kremlin’s continued aggression in Ukraine.
Trump has floated the imposition of 100% tariffs on Russia and hinted that secondary sanctions could target nations purchasing Russian oil – measures that could significantly affect global trade. India and China, two of Russia’s largest energy customers, are in the crosshairs.
As The Gaze reported earlier, .S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that sanctioning Russian oil could become a powerful tool in ending the war in Ukraine.