Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv’s European allies Tuesday of undermining U.S.-led efforts to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
“They don’t have a peace agenda, they’re on the side of the war,” Putin said after speaking at an investment forum and before meeting in the Kremlin with a U.S. delegation led by envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, according to The Associated Press.
Putin claimed European countries were altering peace proposals with “demands that are absolutely unacceptable to Russia,” effectively “blocking the entire peace process” while blaming Moscow for the stalemate. “That’s their goal,” he said.
He also reiterated that Russia has no intention of attacking Europe, though he warned, “But if Europe suddenly wants to wage a war with us and starts it, we are ready right away. There can be no doubt about that.”
Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. European nations have since spent billions supporting Ukraine, boosting military deterrence, and reducing reliance on Russian energy, fearing that a Russian victory could embolden Moscow to target other countries.
Trump’s peace plan depends on Europe to provide most of the financing and security guarantees for a postwar Ukraine, though many European governments say they were not consulted on the original plan. Kyiv has pushed to ensure European concerns are included in any agreement.
Witkoff described his visit to Moscow as positive. Speaking through a translator, he said he and Kushner had taken “a beautiful walk” and called the city “magnificent.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Ireland, continuing his diplomatic tour of European countries supporting Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said he expected swift reports from U.S. envoys in Moscow to determine whether talks could advance following revisions to Trump’s 28-point plan.
“They want to report right after that meeting to us, specifically. The future and the next steps depend on these signals,” Zelenskyy said. “If the signals show fair play with our partners, we then might meet very soon, meet with the American delegation.”
Zelenskyy emphasized urgency: “There is a lot of dialogue, but we need results. Our people are dying every day. I am ready … to meet with President Trump. It all depends on today’s talks.”
The U.S. and Ukrainian teams met in Florida last week, using a previously drafted Geneva document as a basis. Zelenskyy said the document was now “finalized,” though key differences remain, including questions of territory and Ukraine’s security guarantees.
Zelenskyy warned that Russian disinformation could influence negotiations.
“Ukrainian intelligence will provide partners with the information we have about Russia’s true intentions and its attempts to use diplomatic efforts as cover to ease sanctions and block important collective European decisions,” he said.
Zelenskyy also met with leaders in Dublin, where more than 100,000 Ukrainians have settled since the invasion.
While consultations continue, few details have been made public, and both sides face major hurdles in reaching a compromise.
The Kremlin claimed Russian forces captured Pokrovsk in Donetsk, but Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s general staff denied the claim, calling it a propaganda stunt. Ukrainian forces are preparing additional logistics to supply troops in the area.
