Hopes for a near-term resolution to the devastating war in Ukraine have been severely undermined after Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly declared there are key points on which he will not compromise.
Putin's Unyielding Demands and US Diplomacy Falters
Speaking for the first time about recent talks with Donald Trump's peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, Putin adopted a rigid position. He insisted that one non-negotiable demand is for Ukraine to cede the eastern Donbas region, the nation's industrial heartland. Russia currently controls approximately 85% of this territory and its forces continue to make incremental advances. Putin warned that if Ukrainian troops do not withdraw, he is prepared to take the region "by force."
The high-stakes diplomatic mission, which also involved Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, concluded after five hours in the Kremlin earlier this week with no breakthrough. The US proposals, reportedly agreed upon with Ukraine beforehand, were deemed unacceptable by the Russian leader. While Putin described the conversation as "necessary" and "very concrete," he stated that discussing potential compromises was "premature" and could disrupt the negotiation process.
UK and EU Move to Unlock Frozen Russian Funds for Ukraine
In a significant parallel development, the British government is actively exploring legal pathways to transfer more than £8 billion in Russian state assets frozen in the UK. These funds would be directed to support Ukraine's war effort and reconstruction. This initiative would complement a larger European Union plan to utilise roughly £79 billion of immobilised Russian central bank assets to help cover a substantial portion of Kyiv's financial needs over the coming two years.
Putin made his comments during a state visit to India, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a longstanding ally of Moscow. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump offered a more optimistic view of the talks, characterising them as "reasonably good," but noted "it does take two to tango." Ukrainian officials, frustrated by the lack of progress, accused Russia of "wasting the world's time." Follow-up discussions involving Ukrainian and US officials, including Mr Witkoff, were held in Miami, Florida.
Relentless Russian Assault Continues on the Ground
As diplomacy stalled, Russia sustained its aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities. A series of strikes targeted President Zelensky's hometown of Kryvyi Rih, damaging over 40 residential buildings, a school, and energy infrastructure. Tragically, a three-year-old girl was among the casualties.
This attack followed the artillery shelling of the southern port city of Kherson the previous day, where a six-year-old girl was killed. Regional official Oleksandr Prokudin reported that doctors fought in vain to save her life, but her injuries proved too severe. The southern city of Odesa was also hit, resulting in six injuries and further damage to energy supplies.
The combined picture is one of a protracted and brutal conflict, with diplomatic doors closing as military actions intensify and Western nations seek more direct financial mechanisms to bolster Ukraine's defence.
