Putin holds 'constructive' talks with US envoy Witkoff ahead of sanctions deadline: Kremlin

AFP | Moscow

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Russian President Vladimir Putin held "constructive" talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow yesterday, the Kremlin said, two days ahead of a US deadline for Russia to halt its Ukraine offensive or face fresh sanctions.

US President Donald Trump, who had boasted he could end the conflict within 24 hours of taking office, has given Russia until Friday to make progress towards peace or face new penalties.

But three rounds of Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul have failed to make headway on a ceasefire, with the two sides far apart in their demands.

Russia has escalated drone and missile attacks against its pro-Western neighbour to a record high and accelerated its advance on the ground.

"A quite useful and constructive conversation took place," Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov told journalists, including AFP, after the three hour meeting.

Putin and Witkoff exchanged "signals" on their positions, Ushakov said, without elaborating.

The Kremlin released video of Putin shaking hands with Witkoff at the start of the meeting.

Ahead of the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Washington to increase its pressure on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire.