Special Envoy Steve Witkoff Expected to Visit Moscow Ahead of Trump’s Ukraine Cease-Fire Deadline

Witkoff should arrive in Russia by Aug. 6 or 7, just ahead of Trump’s Aug. 8 deadline for Moscow to reach a cease-fire deal to avoid new economic sanctions.

President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on May 6, 2025. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Russia this week, as President Donald Trump’s Aug. 8 deadline for Russia to deal with Ukraine looms.

“They would like to see [Witkoff]. They’ve asked that he meet, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters before departing Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 3.