RUSSIA – The Kremlin said on Monday that a meeting between Putin and Steve Witkoff might happen as Witkoff is expected to visit Russia.

“We do not rule out the possibility of holding such a meeting,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a press briefing.

Peskov’s remarks came as US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Witkoff may travel to Russia “Wednesday or Thursday.”

The visit would be taking place days before a 10-day deadline set by Trump for Russia to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine, which will expire on Aug. 8.

Meeting Between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy

In June, Trump had given Russia a 50-day window, after which he threatened to impose import duties of up to 100% on Russia and its trading partners unless Moscow and Kyiv reach an agreement.

On July 29, Trump announced that he had decided to reduce that deadline to 10 days over his “disappointment” with Putin.

During his conversation with journalists, Peskov also said that Russia does not rule out the possibility of a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but noted this would take place “after the necessary work has been done at the expert level and the necessary distance has been covered.”