US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, just days before a White House deadline for Russia to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire or face new sanctions, BBC reported.

The Kremlin gave no details of the meeting. Earlier, Witkoff also met Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, involved in past peace talks.

President Trump has warned of penalties, including possible tariffs on Russia’s trade partners, if no deal is reached. “Get a deal where people stop getting killed,” Trump told reporters.

Putin says he wants peace but insists Ukraine must cede territory and drop NATO plans. Kyiv demands an immediate ceasefire, according to BBC.