Talks between Putin, US envoy Steve Witkoff ‘useful and constructive’: Kremlin as Trump’s sanctions deadline looms

He said Russia “received some signals from Trump” and “sent some signals” in response, but did not elaborate on what they were.

“On our part, in particular on the Ukrainian issue, some signals were transmitted. Corresponding signals were also received from President Trump.”

He also said Putin and Witkoff also discussed the prospects for the development of the “strategic partnership” between the US and Russia.

Earlier, Witkoff held talks with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidential special representative, according to the state-run news agency TASS. Dmitriev has been a key figure in recent months, facilitating direct peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, as well as backchannel discussions with US officials.

Trump has issued a warning to Moscow, saying the US will impose sanctions if Russia fails to agree to a ceasefire in its war on Ukraine by Friday. Although the White House has yet to specify the exact measures, Trump has previously threatened “secondary tariffs” targeting Russia’s trade partners, including India and China.

When asked on Monday about the message his envoy Steve Witkoff would deliver to Moscow and whether Russia could take any steps to avoid sanctions, Trump replied: “Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed.”

Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer with no prior diplomatic experience, has held multiple extended meetings with Putin since joining Trump’s team in January. His appointment has drawn criticism, with detractors questioning his suitability for high-stakes negotiations.

Three earlier attempts to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine through talks in Istanbul have so far yielded no breakthrough.