Trump Envoy Witkoff Plans Russia Visit Ahead Ukraine Peace Deadline

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will visit Russia following his current trip to Israel as the administration sets an August 8 deadline for Russia to agree to a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. Trump described Russia's recent attacks on Kyiv as "disgusting" and warned of impending sanctions if Moscow fails to reach a settlement, though he expressed skepticism about their effectiveness on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Witkoff, a real estate developer with no prior diplomatic experience, has previously met with Putin and Russian officials, and has been a key figure in U.S.-Russia diplomacy under Trump despite controversy over his approach. The envoy's work also includes humanitarian efforts in Gaza, where he has met with Israeli officials to address food and aid delivery amid the ongoing crisis. Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee plan to enter Gaza to inspect aid distribution and meet local residents, with plans for further briefings and approvals from President Trump. These developments underscore the Trump administration's active, though complex, diplomatic engagement in both the Ukraine conflict and the Middle East humanitarian crisis.