Trump announces new date of Witkoff’s visit to Moscow
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Trump Confirms Witkoff to Visit Russia This Week
Above: Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Saint Petersburg on April 11, 2025. Image copyright: Gavriil Grigorov/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Trump's diplomatic pressure through Witkoff's visit and the sanctions deadline represents a necessary escalation to force Putin into serious negotiations. The threat of secondary tariffs on major trading partners like China and India could finally break Russia's economic lifeline and compel Moscow to end this devastating war.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has proven adept at circumventing sanctions for years, making Trump's threats largely ineffective theater. Putin's unchanged demands and continued military offensive show Moscow isn't intimidated by Washington's ultimatums, while the sanctions could backfire by disrupting global trade relationships.