Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy for the Middle East, will visit Russia this week, US President Donald Trump told reporters.

Reporters had asked Trump what would happen on Friday if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine by then.

"Well, there will be sanctions, but they [i.e. Russia] seem to be quite good at avoiding them. You know, they are cunning characters and quite good at avoiding sanctions. So let's see what happens," Trump responded.

He added that Witkoff was currently focused on the Gaza Strip, but he may travel to Russia.

"He [i.e. Witkoff] may go, I think, next week, on Wednesday or Thursday to Russia. They [i.e. Russia] would like to see him. They asked him to meet with them. So let's see what happens," Trump said.