Europeans doubt Putin's sincerity in seeking peace following discussions with US representatives

KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian and European officials have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of feigning interest in peace after a lengthy meeting with U.S. envoys at the Kremlin showed no progress, although discussions are expected to continue. Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Putin should stop wasting the worlds time. U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper urged the Russian leader to end the bluster and the bloodshed and be ready to support a fair and lasting peace for Ukraine and European security.

On Tuesday evening, Putin met in Moscow with U.S. President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. This encounter marked another stage in renewed U.S. efforts to broker a peace agreement that has remained elusive since January. Both sides agreed not to disclose the discussions content, but one major obstaclewhether Russia can retain the Ukrainian territory it seized since its February 2022 invasionremains unresolved.

Yuri Ushakov, a senior adviser to Putin, told reporters that no compromise has been reached on territorial issues, which the Kremlin views as crucial for resolving the conflict. Ukraine has likewise rejected any concessions of the captured regions. Ushakov described the talks with U.S. officials as useful, constructive, and substantive, noting that the U.S. peace framework was discussed rather than exact terms.

Prior to the Kremlin meeting, Putin sharply criticized Europes role in the talks, accusing continental nations of attempting to undermine the peace process. He also warned that if Europe initiated conflict with Russia, Moscow would be ready immediately, keeping tensions high around the nearly four-year war.

European NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels expressed frustration with Moscow. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said, Putin has not altered his approach. He is intensifying military actions. It is clear he is not interested in peace. Finlands Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen echoed this sentiment, adding, We have seen no concessions from the aggressor, Russia. A complete ceasefire would be a meaningful confidence-building measure.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that Ukraines allies will continue providing military aid to maintain leverage over Moscow. Peace talks are ongoing, which is positive, Rutte said. However, Ukraine must remain strong both to continue defense efforts and to negotiate from a position of strength when talks progress.

Canada, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands announced plans to collectively spend hundreds of millions of dollars to purchase U.S. weaponry for Ukraine. European NATO members have been acquiring American arms under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program since August.

On the battlefield, Russia and Ukraine continue a grueling conflict with drones and missiles targeting positions behind front lines. In Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian drone strikes hit Ternivka, killing two and injuring three, according to Vladyslav Haivanenko, head of the regional military administration. One house was destroyed and six others damaged, with two victims in critical condition. Ukraine reported 111 Russian drones used overnight, while Russia claimed its air defenses intercepted 102 Ukrainian drones. Falling debris sparked a fire at an oil depot in Russias Tambov region, approximately 200 kilometers south of Moscow, according to Governor Yegveniy Pervyshov.

Author: Sophia Brooks