On the 6th (local time), Russian President Vladimir Putin met directly with Steve Wittkopf, the U.S. special envoy for the Middle East, for about three hours.
On that day, TASS and RIA Novosti reported that President Putin received Special Envoy Wittkopf at the Kremlin in Moscow. The Kremlin released a video of President Putin greeting Special Envoy Wittkopf with a handshake. About three hours later, a video was released showing the convoy of Special Envoy Wittkopf exiting the Kremlin after finishing their conversation with President Putin.
Details on what the two sides discussed during their meeting have not been disclosed. However, Yuri Ushakov, a close aide to President Putin who is responsible for foreign policy at the Kremlin, noted after the meeting that 'a useful and constructive conversation took place' and mentioned that 'the possibility of improving relations between the United States and Russia was discussed,' adding that 'Russia received a specific "signal" from President Trump and sent a reply message in response.'
Special Envoy Wittkopf arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo-2 Airport on that morning. He was also seen walking in Zaryadye Park near the Kremlin with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian special envoy for foreign investment and economic cooperation, who came to welcome him at the airport.
Special Envoy Wittkopf's visit to Russia came just two days before the deadline for sanctions against Russia warned by President Trump. Earlier, President Trump had warned that if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine by the 8th, it would impose harsh tariff sanctions not only on Russia but also on Russia's trading partners.
It appears that Special Envoy Wittkopf pressured President Putin for a ceasefire while conveying President Trump's message in person. Previously, President Putin had stated on the 1st that Russia's objectives regarding the operation in Ukraine remain unchanged and that he would not back down.