# Russian President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow today, two days ahead of a deadline imposed by US President Donald Trump on Moscow to halt its Ukraine offensive or face fresh sanctions. Trump has given Russia until Friday to make progress towards peace or face new penalties. Three rounds of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul have failed to make headway on a ceasefire. Russia has escalated drone and missile attacks against its pro-Western neighbour to a record high and accelerated its advance on the ground.
Putin meets Trump’s envoy as deadline for ceasefire looms