**Zelensky and Trump Hold Call as US Imposes Sanctions Deadline**
In a move that has sparked interest globally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that he held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump alongside European leaders. The conversation took place after Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff visited Moscow, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Zelensky, the joint position of all parties involved is clear: the war in Ukraine must end, and it must be done honestly. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was one of the European leaders who joined the call, as reported by Sky News. The discussions were seen as a significant step towards finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
**Russia Seeks to Avoid US Sanctions**
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Witkoff for around three hours on August 6, according to Russian state media TASS. While the Kremlin did not disclose the details of their conversation, unnamed sources told CNN that Moscow had requested the talks in an effort to avoid additional U.S. sanctions.
In a warning issued earlier, Trump stated that unless Russia agreed to halt hostilities in Ukraine by August 8, Washington would move forward with secondary tariffs targeting countries purchasing Russian oil. The meeting between Witkoff and Putin was described as “useful and constructive” by Putin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, covering the war in Ukraine and prospects for strategic cooperation.
**Deadline Looms as US Imposes Sanctions**
The White House is expected to impose new sanctions on Russia by August 8. Trump later commented on the meeting between Witkoff and Putin, describing it as “highly productive” and stating that great progress was made towards bringing an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
In a statement, Trump emphasized that everyone agrees this war must come to a close, and efforts are underway to work towards that goal in the days and weeks ahead. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen whether these developments will lead to meaningful progress or further divisions between nations.
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