U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on August 6, 2025, for extensive talks aimed at de-escalating the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting, which lasted approximately three hours, was described as "highly productive" by U.S. President Donald Trump, who indicated that "great progress was made." This high-level engagement occurred just days before a critical deadline set by the U.S. for Russia to achieve advances toward a peace agreement.
Following the discussions with Putin, Witkoff also met with Kirill Dmitriev, a key figure in Russia's sovereign wealth fund. President Trump had previously set a deadline of August 8 for Russia to demonstrate progress toward peace, threatening economic sanctions if this was not met. Trump also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to coordinate joint strategies, with Zelenskyy confirming that European leaders also participated in this call to discuss the outcomes of the Moscow meeting. Ukraine's position remains firm on defending its independence and achieving a lasting peace, with Zelenskyy emphasizing that Russia must end the war it initiated. The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, has expressed openness to a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, contingent upon preparatory work at an expert level.
In parallel, NATO countries are enhancing their support for Ukraine through a new initiative called the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). This program, agreed upon by President Zelenskyy, President Trump, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, involves European allies funding the delivery of U.S.-made weapons and defense systems. The Netherlands has pledged a significant contribution, with other Nordic countries also participating. This coordinated effort underscores a unified international commitment to bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities and fostering conditions for a stable resolution. While the specifics of the Moscow talks remain undisclosed, the engagement between Witkoff and Putin, coupled with broader diplomatic outreach and coordinated international support, signals a concerted push towards de-escalation and a potential pathway to peace in Ukraine.