Friday is the Deadline Set by Washington for Russia to End the Conflict in Ukraine or Face New Sanctions
On August 8, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia has until Friday to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face significant new sanctions. This ultimatum coincided with preparations for Trump’s anticipated first in-person meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his second term.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Trump negated the necessity for a prior meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, asserting, “No, he doesn’t,” in response to a question regarding whether such a meeting was a condition for his discussions with Putin.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the Russian administration had expressed interest in a meeting with Trump, stating, “The President is open to this meeting.” She added that Trump desires to engage with both leaders to expedite the resolution of the ongoing conflict, indicating that logistical details are currently being finalized.
Earlier that day, the Kremlin indicated that the meeting between Trump and Putin had been tentatively agreed upon and was expected to take place “in the coming days.” The initiative for the high-level talks emerged after a significant three-hour meeting between Putin and Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, on Wednesday in Moscow.
According to Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov, the United States prompted the discussions for the bilateral meeting. During a debrief following his Moscow visit, Witkoff relayed Putin’s willingness to meet with Trump. However, Trump mentioned that he would prefer to see Putin engage with Zelensky to address the ceasefire issue.
The ultimatum for a ceasefire remains a focal point, with Trump hinting that the deadline might be flexible. “We’re going to see what he has to say. It’s going to be up to him. Very disappointed,” Trump remarked when pressed on the rigidity of the Friday deadline.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the spotlight remains on the potential outcomes of these high-stakes discussions, with implications for peace in Ukraine and U.S.-Russia relations at the forefront. , reports 24brussels.
