Ukraine Crisis: Putin's Demands Explained 💥🇺🇦

World News

Russia and the United States failed to make progress toward a peace deal for Ukraine following a five-hour meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and a delegation including Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, a senior aide to Putin stated. Shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued threats regarding Russia’s readiness for war with Europe, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said that the talks left the two sides “neither further nor closer to resolving the crisis in Ukraine.” Ushakov characterized the meeting as “extremely useful, constructive, and informed,” but emphasized that no agreement was reached on key issues, particularly regarding potential lines of territorial control within a prospective peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. “We did not discuss… specific American proposals,” Ushakov explained, “but instead, we discussed the underlying principles contained within those documents.” He also indicated that President Putin maintained a “critical and even negative attitude” toward several proposals. Ushakov declined to disclose details of the negotiations, and suggested that another summit between Trump and Putin was not anticipated. Separately, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later reported “some progress” was made on security guarantees, stating that the effort focused on identifying acceptable security assurances for Ukraine’s future.

News. He added that the US hoped a compromise would allow Ukraine to “not just to rebuild their economy, but to prosper as a country.” Following relatively downbeat assessments from Tuesday night’s diplomacy, Putin delivered combative opening statements as Jared Kushner and Eric Witkoff arrived for talks at the Kremlin. During the discussions, Putin accused European powers of sabotaging peace in Ukraine and stated that “European demands” on ending the war were “not acceptable 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.” Putin did not specify which European demands he found unacceptable. “They are on the side of war,” he stated regarding European powers. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, posted on X, stating he was “ready to receive all the signals and ready for a meeting with President Trump,” and emphasizing that “Everything depends on today’s discussions.” Several US media outlets reported that Zelenskyy was expected to meet with Witkoff and Kushner in Europe following the meeting. A short video feed from the Kremlin showed the two small delegations seated on opposite sides of an oval white table, with Putin seated next to his advisers Kirill Dmitriev and Yuri Ushakov. Putin inquired about a brief tour of Moscow the two Trump allies had taken before the meeting, with Witkoff describing the city as “a magnificent city.” The video feed then abruptly cut out. Kushner and Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Tuesday after meeting Ukrainian officials at the weekend in Florida.

Seeking to bolster support among European capitals, President Zelenskyy addressed diplomats in Paris, stating that a revised version of the 28-point peace plan “looks better” but acknowledged that “it is not over yet.” Zelenskyy has consistently objected to key provisions within the original plan, specifically those requiring Ukraine to cede territory under its current control and impose limitations on the size of its military. He has also insisted on receiving clear, enforceable security guarantees from Western nations to prevent a future Russian invasion. Meanwhile, President Putin has maintained that only the initial US proposal could serve as a foundation for further negotiations, though he has acknowledged the need for substantial revisions. Despite weeks of intensive shuttle diplomacy and multiple revisions to the US peace plan, a significant gap remains between the two sides; Russia’s maximalist demands effectively necessitate Ukraine’s capitulation. President Trump, speaking to a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, described the conflict as a “mess” and a complex situation to resolve. Putin’s statements appear strategically aimed at creating a divide between Washington and European capitals. European officials have achieved some success in pushing back against the original US plan, although the extent to which Washington is addressing their concerns remains uncertain. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated earlier that same day that Putin was continuing to advocate for the original US proposal.

Witkoff detailed the “understandings” recently reached between Washington and Kyiv, emphasizing that Russia remained open to negotiations while insisting on achieving the objectives of its “special operation.” These goals encompassed sweeping demands that would significantly diminish Ukraine’s sovereignty, including deep cuts to its armed forces, a prohibition on Western military assistance, extensive limitations on political independence, and the handover of Ukrainian-controlled territory in the east of the country. Simultaneously, Russia has spent over a year attempting to seize the frontline hub of Pokrovsk, considered a strategic gateway to Donetsk, and has sustained substantial losses during this effort. Ukrainian analysts and military bloggers have confirmed that Russian forces now hold most of Pokrovsk, with updated battlefield maps indicating their forces largely control the area. Following recent gains at the front, Putin has recently signaled the Russian military’s readiness to continue fighting should diplomatic efforts fail, repeatedly highlighting the ongoing offensive. Furthermore, on Tuesday, the Russian president threatened retaliatory strikes against Ukraine’s ports and shipping after Kyiv recently targeted several vessels within Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea. He characterized these attacks on Russian tankers as “piracy,” threatening intensified strikes on Ukrainian ports and any ships entering them.