White House envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in a last-ditch effort to convince him to make peace in Ukraine or face punishing new economic penalties by Friday.

The Russian president and Trump emissary held talks in Moscow days before the White House deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Wednesday ahead of expected talks with the Russian leadership, Russian state media reported.