U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin this morning (August 6) beginning at what was about 5:00 AM eastern US time.
I am told the meeting lasted three hours, and "went very badly."
Witkoff has now departed the Kremlin.
No official word from either side yet.
Here is my analysis from yesterday about what I thought the meeting would be about, and how it would go, HERE
UPDATE 11:28 AM EDT --
My sources seem to have been right; the meeting between Putin and Witkoff seems to have gone badly.
ONE MINUTE AGO, the White House dropped a new Executive Order imposing twenty-five percent (25%) Tariffs on all Russia imports to the USA, and 25% Secondary Tariffs on imports from all countries continuing to buy Russian oil.
The new Tariffs, issued under U.S. laws, expands on prior orders addressing Russia’s actions in Ukraine as a national security threat.
Imposes 25% tariff on Russian imports and countries importing Russian oil (e.g., India), effective August 27, 2025.
These new Tariffs are added to existing duties, except for goods under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
They aim to weaken Russia’s economy and deter support for its actions in Ukraine.
Secretary of Commerce has been ordered to identify countries; Secretary of State to monitor and recommend further actions if needed.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said "the US administration will discuss the results of Witkoff's visit and may make a statement — "possibly positive, possibly not".
