Putin Demands Full Ukrainian Withdrawal from Donbas
Vladimir Putin again calls on Ukrainian forces to leave the Donbas. He warns Russia will seize the region by force if Kyiv resists. He tells India Today that Moscow controls around 85% of the territory. Volodymyr Zelensky rejects any proposal that involves giving up land.
Trump Envoys See Only Limited Signs of Progress
Putin’s comments follow Donald Trump’s claim that his envoys detected some willingness from Moscow to end the war. Negotiator Steve Witkoff plans to meet Ukraine’s team in Florida next. Trump calls the Kremlin talks “reasonably good” but says both sides must act. The Kremlin awaits Washington’s response. Adviser Yuri Ushakov says no call between Putin and Trump is planned, and no date exists for another meeting with Witkoff.
Revised US Peace Plan Exposes Deep Divisions
The original US plan proposed moving Kyiv-held parts of Donbas under Russian control. Witkoff’s team brings a revised version to Moscow. Putin says he had not seen it before meeting Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He says they reviewed every detail and notes Russia disagreed with several points. He avoids specifying the main disputes. Two issues dominate: the future of occupied Ukrainian territory and Kyiv’s demand for security guarantees. Ushakov says the talks produced “no compromise” and claims Russia’s position strengthened after reported battlefield gains.
Kyiv Accuses Moscow of Stalling
Ukraine says Russia delays talks to seize more territory. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybhia says Putin is wasting the world’s time. Kyiv continues to demand strong security guarantees before any agreement. Zelensky says the world sees a real chance for peace but stresses that pressure on Moscow must remain. He says Ukraine revised key parts of the original US plan during Geneva talks. US and Ukrainian officials say they created an updated peace framework but share no further details.
European Leaders Express Alarm
A German news outlet reports it obtained a call transcript in which European leaders express concern about the US approach. One warns Washington may pressure Ukraine to surrender territory without guarantees. Another urges Zelensky to act carefully. A third stresses that Europe must remain close to Ukraine during the process. The transcript is unverified. France denies the reported wording and provides no further details. Several leaders decline to comment. The White House says its team works to stop the killing and holds productive meetings with both sides to build a lasting peace.
Fighting Continues as Talks Drag On
Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and now controls about one-fifth of Ukraine. Russian forces advance slowly in the south-east despite reports of heavy casualties.
