New Delhi, Aug. 6 -- US envoy Steve Witkoff held a three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, a White House official confirmed, describing the discussions as positive. Despite the encouraging tone, the trump administration is still set to move forward with a new round of secondary sanctions on Russia this Friday.

"The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday," the official stated, signaling that diplomatic engagement is not slowing Washington's punitive measures.

The White House did not offer further details about the content of the talks but said the visit is part of broader efforts to engage in "strategic...