Witkoff scrambles for peace deal with Russia as sanctions loom targeting India, China

White House envoy Steve Witkoff is preparing for a trip to Russia on Wednesday, two days ahead of President Donald Trump’s Aug. 8 deadline for Moscow to enter into a ceasefire or face stiff sanctions.

But the escalated deadline, which Trump cut by nearly a month last week after first issuing Russian President Vladimir Putin a 50-day deadline in mid-July, has done little to curb the Kremlin’s violence in Ukraine. 

If a peace deal is not reached by Friday, Putin’s chief commodity will become the primary target as the U.S. will begin 100% sanctions on nations that purchase Russian oil in a move to dissuade them from fueling Russia’s economy, and by extension, its war chest.<...