The U.S. State Department stated that it will continue "step by step" engagement with Ukraine. This statement came ahead of the upcoming visit to Russia by a representative of the Trump administration, Steven Whitcoff.
Whitcoff met with relatives of those held captive in the Gaza Strip on August 3 in Tel Aviv. He will travel to Moscow after his trip to the Middle East.
Earlier, Trump had given a 10-day deadline to start negotiations on Ukraine with Russia—this deadline expires on August 8.