New sanctions against Russia will still kick in on Friday, the White House said, even as President Donald Trump praised a meeting between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin as “highly productive” on Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday, the Kremlin said, days before the White House’s deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil.

The envoy, Steve Witkoff, passed along “signals” from President Trump, according to an aide to President Vladimir V. Putin. Mr. Witkoff was making his fifth visit to Russia this year.