Trump Confirms Envoy's Visit to Russia Amid Rising Tensions

 Washington - U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, August 3rd, that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will travel to Russia next week. This visit comes ahead of a looming deadline for U.S. sanctions and amidst escalating tensions with Moscow.

Speaking to reporters, Trump stated that Witkoff's visit would likely occur on "Wednesday or Thursday" of the upcoming week. The trip is set against the backdrop of a deadline imposed by Trump for Russia to take steps toward ending the war in Ukraine or face new, unspecified sanctions. When asked what message Witkoff would carry to Moscow and how Russia could avoid the sanctions, Trump replied, "Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed."

The President also confirmed that two U.S. nuclear submarines, which he ordered to be moved after a verbal spat with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, are now "in the region." However, he did not specify whether the submarines are nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed, nor did he disclose their exact locations. The move to reposition the submarines followed what Trump described as "highly provocative statements" by Medvedev, who is now the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council.

Steve Witkoff, a real estate mogul and friend of Trump, has previously met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on multiple occasions in Moscow. These prior meetings took place before a deterioration in Trump's efforts to mend relations with the Kremlin. The upcoming visit is seen as a critical diplomatic push as the administration's deadline for a peace deal approaches.