Skip next section Putin hosts US envoy Witkoff at the Kremlin
08/06/2025August 6, 2025
Putin hosts US envoy Witkoff at the Kremlin
The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff for talks.
The Kremlin did not immediately provide more information regarding the meeting.
There had been doubts as to whether the two would meet during Witkoff’s visit to Moscow but Russian state media said the meeting was to take place on Wednesday.
Donald Trump has put a Friday deadline for Putin to agree to a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil.
https://p.dw.com/p/4yabs
Skip next section Zelenskyy says two dead in Zaporizhzhia district after Russian strike
08/06/2025August 6, 2025
Zelenskyy says two dead in Zaporizhzhia district after Russian strike
Ukrainian President said on Wednesday two people were killed after a Russian attack set ablaze a holiday camp in central Ukraine.
Describing it as a “zero military sense” strike, Zelenskyy condemned the “cruelty” of the attack, “aimed at instilling fear.”
“Right now in the Zaporizhzhia district, our medics and first responders are helping those wounded in a Russian strike on an ordinary recreation center,” Zelenskyy posted on X.
“Twelve people have been injured. As of now, sadly, two people are confirmed dead.”
The Kremlin claims the Zaporizhzhia region as part of Russia.
https://p.dw.com/p/4yaOQ
Skip next section Ukraine ‘grateful’ for approving over $200 mln in foreign military sales for Uk
08/06/2025August 6, 2025
Ukraine ‘grateful’ for approving over $200 mln in foreign military sales for Uk
Ukraine’s defense minister has expressed gratitude toward the US for approving more than $200 million (€175 million) in deals to supply arms to Ukraine, funded by allies and arising from agreements between the US and Ukrainian presidents.
“Grateful to the U.S. for approving over $200M in Foreign Military Sales for Ukraine,” Denys Shmyhal posted on X.
“The first package includes equipment, repairs, and technical support for M777 howitzers, valued at $104 million. The second package, worth $99.5 million, covers transportation and cargo consolidation and other logistical services.”Entirely funded by partner countries, these packages are a boost to Ukraine’s defense and regional security,” he added.
https://p.dw.com/p/4yaCL
Skip next section Russia-US relations need time, says Kremlin
08/06/2025August 6, 2025
Russia-US relations need time, says Kremlin
Patience is required over Russian-US relations, the said Wednesday.
In remarks carried by the Russian TASS state news agency, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “There is, of course, inertia in this process,” referring to the prolonged absence of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
“It takes time for efforts to bring bilateral relations back onto a normal track.”
TASS reported that for the first time in modern Russian history more than six months have passed without a summit between the leaders of the two nuclear powers.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ya6I
Skip next section US envoy Witkoff in Moscow for talks
08/06/2025August 6, 2025
US envoy Witkoff in Moscow for talks
US envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Wednesday, state media reported, where he will meet with Russian officials , with President ‘s deadline to impose fresh sanctions over the war in Ukraine just days away.
It is unclear whether Witkoff will meet with Russian President .
Trump has given the Kremlin until Friday to halt its offensive in Ukraine or face further sanctions.
The White House has not been specific regarding potential penalties, but Trump has previously threatened to impose “secondary tariffs” targeting Moscow’s remaining trade partners, including China and India.
Trump said Tuesday that he would await the outcome of Witkoff’s visit before moving forward.
“We’re going to see what happens,” he told reporters. “We’ll make that determination at that time.”
After arriving in the Russian capital, Witkoff was met by presidential special representative Kirill Dmitriev, Russian state news agency TASS said.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ya1D
Skip next section Zelenskyy and Trump speak about ‘ending the war’
08/06/2025August 6, 2025
Zelenskyy and Trump speak about ‘ending the war’
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had had a “productive” conversation with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
The Ukrainian president said “the key focus” of their conversation centered around “ending the war.”
“Many months could have already passed without war, had Russia not been prolonging it,” he continued.
“Today, we coordinated our positions, Ukraine and the United States. We exchanged assessments of the situation: The Russians have intensified the brutality of their attacks. President Trump is fully informed about Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities and communities.”
Zelenskyy said the pair also spoke about sanctions on Russia with Trump’s August 8 deadline for Putin to end the war looming large.
“Their economy continues to decline, and that’s exactly why Moscow is so sensitive to this prospect and President Trump’s resolve,” Zelenskyy said.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ya6G
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage08/06/2025August 6, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
Today’s spotlight is firmly on Moscow, where US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is meeting with Russian officials, just days ahead of a deadline set by his boss.
President Donald Trump has warned that if Russia fails to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine by Friday, it will face new sanctions.
However, the lack of urgency in Moscow over the past few days suggests Witkoff may leave empty handed. In fact, sources close to the Kremlin say Russian President Vladimir Putin believes he is gaining ground in Ukraine, and that takes precedence over improving relations with the United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has used this moment to press his case for tougher sanctions on Moscow in a call with Trump ahead of Witkoff’s visit.
We’ll be covering all these topics in this blog, with a focus on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
https://p.dw.com/p/4yZzC
The post Ukraine updates: Putin meets Trump envoy in Moscow appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
