ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Wednesday, just two days before the expiration of a deadline set for Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine or face new sanctions.

The Russian state news agency Tass reported Witkoff's arrival at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport early in the morning, where he was greeted by Kirill Dmitriev, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

Witkoff and Dmitriev later took a walk in Zaryadye Park, located next to Moscow's Red Square.

The visit is the US special envoy's fifth to Russia since the start of the year, with his latest two visits in April, during which he met with Putin.

On Tuesday, the Kremlin did not rule out the possibility of a meeting between Putin and Witkoff this week, defining contacts with Witkoff as “important, meaningful, and very useful.”

Witkoff's visit is taking place two days before a 10-day deadline set by Trump for Russia to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine, which will expire on Aug. 8.

In June, Trump gave 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.