The meeting comes amid a "ultimatum" set by Washington for an impending Ukrainian peace deal.
Witkoff arrived at Vnukovo-2 airport early on the morning of August 6 and was welcomed by Mr. Kirill Dmitriev, special representative of the Russian President on foreign investment cooperation. The two then took a walk together at Zaryadye Park, near the Kremlin.
This is the fifth time this year that Witkoff has visited Russia as a special missionary to US President Donald Trump. In the last two visits - April 11 and 25 - he was both received directly by President Putin, showing Moscow's high level of interest in Washington's diplomatic efforts.
The trip comes as President Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to impose import tariffs of up to 100% on Russia and its trade partners if a deal to end the Ukrainian conflict cannot be reached within the next 10 days, as of July 29. Trump initially set a 50-day deadline, but it was shortened to just 10 days.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Trump said Russia is "fighting the sanctions well", but stressed that to avoid a new round of sanctions, it is necessary to reach an agreement "so that people are no longer being murdered".
President Trump has since taking office earlier this year reversed his predecessor Joe Biden's approach, reopening high-level dialogue channels with Russia. Washington said that maintaining contact with Moscow - a nuclear power - is the last resort to avoid escalating global tensions and could bring common benefits.
However, Mr Trump's patience seems to be running out as the negotiation process has not yet brought clear results. Meanwhile, Russia will maintain a priority stance on diplomatic solutions but will not allow the presence of an opponent linked to NATO on its borders, which would harm national security.
On the other hand, Ukraine continues to call on the West to increase military aid and expand sanctions against Russia. Several European countries are also reportedly asking for US additional arms assistance to maintain supply chains to Kiev.
President Trump said the next steps for the US will depend on the outcome of the meeting between Mr. Witkoff and President Putin this time.
