Putin Pushes His Donbas Ultimatum
Vladimir Putin again demands that Ukrainian troops withdraw from the Donbas. He warns that Russia will seize the region by force if Kyiv refuses. He tells India Today that Moscow controls about 85% of the area. Volodymyr Zelensky rejects any proposal that gives up Ukrainian territory.
Trump Team Reports Unsteady Signals After Talks
Putin’s remarks follow Donald Trump’s claim that his envoys sensed limited interest in peace from Moscow. Negotiator Steve Witkoff plans to meet Ukraine’s delegation soon in Florida. Trump calls the Kremlin talks “reasonably good” but says both sides must move forward. The Kremlin waits for Washington’s reaction. Adviser Yuri Ushakov says no call between Putin and Trump is planned and no new date exists for another meeting with Witkoff.
Updated US Proposal Reveals Deep Fault Lines
The first US plan suggested shifting Kyiv-held areas of the Donbas under Russian control. Witkoff’s team arrives in Moscow with a revised version. Putin says he had not reviewed it before meeting Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He says they examined every line and notes that Russia opposed several points. He avoids naming the main disputes. Two issues dominate: the future of occupied Ukrainian land and the security guarantees Kyiv demands. Ushakov says the talks produced “no compromise” and claims Russia feels stronger because of its recent battlefield gains.
Kyiv Warns the World About Delays
Ukraine accuses Russia of slowing peace efforts to seize more ground. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybhia says Putin is wasting global time. Kyiv insists on firm security guarantees before any agreement. Zelensky says the world now sees a real chance for peace but stresses that pressure on Moscow must guide every negotiation. He says Ukraine changed major parts of the initial US plan during the Geneva meeting. US and Ukrainian officials say they created an updated peace framework but release no further details.
European Concerns Grow Over Washington’s Approach
A German news outlet reports it obtained a call transcript in which European leaders express concern about the US strategy. One warns that Washington might make decisions on territory without solid guarantees for Kyiv. Another urges Zelensky to proceed with great care. A third stresses Europe must remain at Ukraine’s side during this phase. The transcript remains unverified. A French official denies the reported wording but offers no extra detail. Several leaders decline to comment. The White House says its team works to halt the killing and holds productive meetings with both sides to build a durable peace.
Fighting Continues as Diplomacy Slows
Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and now controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. Russian forces advance slowly in the south-east despite reports of heavy losses.
