Despite President Trump's threat of sweeping sanctions, expectations for a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv are muted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday, the Kremlin said, days before the White House’s deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil.

As the Trump administration’s sanctions deadline looms over Russia, the Kremlin said that US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a “constructive and useful” meeting on Wednesday,