Steve Witkoff spent three grueling hours behind closed doors with Vladimir Putin on Wednesday—and emerged empty-handed. No breakthroughs on Ukraine. No steps toward peace. No wins for Donald Trump.
The Kremlin, in predictable fashion, called the talks "constructive and useful"—diplomatic code for *we got nowhere*. The meeting concluded just before Trump’s deadline for Russian sanctions, and Putin hadn’t moved an inch.
Trump had hoped for momentum—even a hint of progress toward a peace deal. Instead, Russia escalated its assaults. Since Witkoff’s last sit-down with Putin in April, Ukraine has endured intensified missile strikes and drone attacks. Far from de-escalating, the war is heating up.
#Notcoin **Putin Plays for Time, Trump Runs Out of Patience**
Russian state media, including TASS and RIA Novosti, vaguely claimed "signals were exchanged" on Ukraine—but, as usual, offered no specifics. No commitments. No real concessions. Just more Kremlin smoke and mirrors. Officials even hinted that details would come *after* Witkoff briefed Trump—a classic Putin delay tactic.
Witkoff arrived in Moscow to a staged welcome from Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev. State media captured the obligatory handshake with Putin—likely the only tangible "achievement" of the entire trip.
Meanwhile, Trump’s patience has worn thin. In early July, he warned Moscow that new sanctions were imminent without progress toward peace. *"We’ll see what happens,"* he said at the time. Now, with nothing to show, Trump is reportedly furious. Behind the scenes, sources describe his recent calls with Putin as *"tense,"with Trump dismissing Russia’s justifications for continued attacks as "bullsh*t"and condemning the strikes as *"disgusting."* Yet Putin remains unmoved—stalling, deflecting, and buying time.
*With Putin Defiant, Trump Takes Aim at India**
Minutes after the Moscow talks collapsed, Trump pivoted sharply—slamming India with a 25% tariff hike** on all imports, stacking atop existing duties for a staggering 50% total**.
The reason? India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Trump’s executive order left no room for interpretation:
"I find that the Government of India is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. Accordingly... articles of India imported into the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem duty of 25 percent."*
For weeks, Trump had warned India of consequences for propping up Russia’s war economy. On CNBC’s *Squawk Box*, he made his stance clear:
"They’re buying Russian oil. They’re fueling the war machine... and if they’re going to do that, then I’m not going to be happy."*
*A Trade Deal Collapses**
Just a month ago, Washington and Delhi were nearing a major trade agreement. Optimism was high. Now? The deal is dead.
The unraveling began in late July when Trump accused **China** of backing Putin and threatened penalties for *"everyone involved."* India’s response? A defiant *we’re not stopping our Russian oil imports.* That sealed its fate.
Now, India finds itself in Trump’s crosshair not just as an economic rival, but as a financial lifeline for Putin. If the Kremlin won’t bend, Trump seems determined to cripple those who enable it.
But if past is prologue, Putin won’t flinch. He’ll wait. And the world will keep paying the price.
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