Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia is prepared for war with Europe if European powers initiate conflict, as US-mediated peace talks in Moscow ended without significant progress. Speaking ahead of negotiations with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Putin accused European nations of sabotaging peace efforts in Ukraine, stating that their demands are unacceptable to Russia. 'Europe is preventing the US administration from achieving peace on Ukraine,' Putin said, adding, 'Russia does not intend to fight Europe, but if Europe starts, we are ready right now.'
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed after a five-hour meeting with Witkoff and Kushner that the two sides were 'neither further nor closer to resolving the crisis in Ukraine.' While describing the talks as 'extremely useful, constructive, and informed,' Ushakov noted that no agreement was reached on key issues, including territorial control in a potential peace deal. He indicated that Russia could accept some US proposals but maintained a 'critical and even negative attitude' toward others. Ushakov also suggested that another summit between Putin and US President Donald Trump was not imminent.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a slightly more optimistic assessment, telling Fox News that 'some progress' had been made on security guarantees for Ukraine. He said the US aimed to find a compromise that would allow Ukraine to 'not just rebuild their economy, but to prosper as a country.' However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed caution, stating he was 'awaiting signals' from the US delegation after its meeting with Putin. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said, 'Everything depends on today’s discussions,' and confirmed readiness for a meeting with Trump.
The talks in Moscow followed a weekend meeting between US officials and Ukrainian representatives in Florida, where revisions to a 28-point peace plan were discussed. Zelenskyy, who has objected to provisions requiring Ukraine to cede territory and limit its military, said the updated proposal 'looks better' but emphasised that negotiations were 'not over yet.' The US plan, originally favouring Moscow, has been reworked to be more acceptable to Kyiv, but significant scepticism remains over Russia's willingness to make concessions.
