Putin Asserts Russia's Readiness for Conflict Amidst Europe Tensions Ahead of Crucial Ukraine Negotiations

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Key Points

US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at peace talks in Moscow.
The initial US plan drew strong criticism from Ukraine and European allies for appearing too favourable to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists any agreement must end the war completely and not merely pause hostilities.

Top US negotiators aiming to end the war in Ukraine have met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a high-stakes meeting in Moscow.

Putin, who received Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin, signalled earlier that his forces were ready to fight on to achieve Russia’s initial war goals.

Just before the meeting, Putin warned Europe that it would face swift defeat if it went to war with Russia, and he dismissed European counter-proposals on Ukraine as being absolutely unacceptable to Russia.

“They are on the side of war,” Putin said of the European powers.

“The intention behind these changes is evident: they aim to entirely obstruct the peace process by making demands that are utterly unacceptable to Russia,” a source revealed.

Putin said Russia did not want war with Europe, but that if Europe started one, it would end so swiftly that there would be no one left for Russia to negotiate with.

The meeting is a crucial moment for Ukraine in what could be a fraught week following days of frantic diplomacy kicked off by a unilateral US plan to bring peace, which has since been revised under pressure from Ukraine and its European backers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that any plan must end the war for good, and not just lead to a pause in the fighting that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

The Trump administration has said it is “optimistic” it can help end Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War Two.

Kushner and Witkoff were to present Putin with the new version of the US plan, which has been hammered out after the initial version raised fears in Ukraine that it made too many concessions to Russia.

After their Moscow visit, Kushner and Witkoff could go on to meet a Ukrainian delegation as soon as Wednesday, potentially in Brussels, a senior Ukraine official told AFP.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the situation during his visit to Ireland, where he was rallying European allies. He mentioned that the United States intended to update Ukraine directly following a meeting, reflecting the ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.

“Our common task is to end the war, not just to achieve a pause in hostilities,” Zelenskyy said, adding: “A dignified peace is needed.”

Putin, however, appeared to send a hawkish message shortly before the US talks started.

In the eastern part of Ukraine, the city of Pokrovsk recently fell under Russian control. Zelenskyy described the city as a strategic position, vital for achieving the objectives outlined at the onset of Russia’s so-called “special military operation,” a term used by Moscow to describe the prolonged conflict that has now spanned nearly four years.

European powers are worried that the US and Russia could strike a deal over their heads or force Ukraine into making unfair concessions.

Last month, a 28-point peace proposal from the United States drew attention due to its remarkable resemblance to Moscow’s demands. This sparked allegations of Russian involvement in its creation, accusations that the US has firmly denied.

Bloomberg last month reported on an audio recording showing that Witkoff helped coach Russian officials on how Putin should speak to Trump.

Zelenskyy has said he expects to discuss key issues with Trump, including on territory, and suggested Russia’s real motivation for the US talks was to ease Western sanctions.