Last chance for peace? Signals from Moscow and Washington

Amid recent strong statements by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the need for a swift resolution to the Russia–Ukraine conflict, the August 6 visit to Moscow by the U.S. President’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has become one of the main topics in global media.

It is worth noting that the President of the United States sent his special envoy to Russia to meet the deadline he had set for resolving the Ukraine conflict — August 8. Otherwise, Trump threatened Moscow with secondary sanctions. In other words, Witkoff’s visit to Russia took place against the backdrop of a tough ultimatum from Washington.

This marks the fifth visit of the U.S. President’s special envoy to Moscow. The previous trip occurred in late April 2025, when he met with Vladimir Putin. This was followed in May by the first direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, and at the time, the media actively discussed plans for a ceasefire in the Russia–Ukraine war. However, no breakthrough on this issue was achieved.

The recent talks between Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin, which lasted around three hours, were described as useful and constructive.

According to Yury Ushakov, aide to the Russian president, the conversation was “very useful and constructive.” “If we name the topics, first and foremost, of course, was the Ukrainian crisis. The second was the prospects for potential strategic cooperation between the U.S. and Russia. On our part, in particular regarding the Ukraine issue, certain signals were conveyed. Corresponding signals were also received from President Trump,” he told Russian media, refraining from providing further details.

Following the Kremlin talks, Washington announced a high likelihood of a meeting between the U.S. President and the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine. The New York Times, citing sources, confirmed Trump’s plans to meet the leaders of both countries next week. Speaking to journalists, the U.S. President noted that he did not see the Putin–Witkoff talks as a breakthrough, but stressed that the meeting had been productive.

Thus, based on statements from both sides, it can be concluded that during the meeting, Putin and Witkoff may have partially reached some compromises on certain issues within the U.S.-Russia agenda, but most likely did not achieve an agreement on resolving the Ukrainian conflict.

Consequently, it can be assumed that the likelihood of a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine is extremely low, which does not rule out the possibility of new U.S. sanctions against Russia. For example, as the Financial Times recently reported, sanctions could target Russia’s “shadow fleet.” It is worth recalling that the administration of former President Joe Biden previously imposed sanctions on 213 Russian vessels, and it is quite possible that the current head of the White House will continue a similar approach.

On the other hand, considering Trump’s clear focus on resolving conflicts in Ukraine, the South Caucasus, and the Middle East, as well as his personal stance as a peacemaker and unifier—something he emphasized in his inauguration speech in January of this year—it is possible that the current occupant of the Oval Office will continue his efforts to settle the Ukrainian conflict. As he told journalists recently, “This is not my war. I’m here to get us out of it,” adding that over the past five months, he has stopped five wars.

Whether the President of the United States will succeed in stopping the sixth war will depend on many factors, including the political will of the Russian leadership and the American side’s ability to apply pressure on their opponent.