Putin dismisses concessions in fresh warning
Vladimir Putin demands that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donbas region. He insists Russia will seize the territory by force if Ukraine refuses. He tells India Today that Moscow already controls about 85% of the area. Volodymyr Zelensky rejects any idea of surrendering land.
Trump’s team reports limited but positive signals
Putin’s warning follows remarks from Donald Trump, whose envoys say Russia’s leader wants a path to end the war. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff plans to meet Ukraine’s delegation in Florida next. Trump calls the Kremlin talks “reasonably good” but says both sides must engage. The Kremlin waits for a reply from Washington. Adviser Yuri Ushakov says no call between Trump and Putin is planned and no date exists for another meeting with Witkoff.
Updated US plan faces resistance in Moscow
The first US proposal suggested that parts of the Donbas still under Ukrainian control move under Moscow’s de facto authority. Witkoff’s team brings a revised version to the Russian capital. Putin says he had not seen the new text before his meeting with Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He explains that this forced them to examine each detail. He says Moscow rejects some elements. He names no specifics, but two issues remain central: the future of occupied Ukrainian territory and security guarantees for Kyiv. Ushakov says the talks yield “no compromise”. He claims Russia’s stance has strengthened after recent battlefield gains. Ukraine accuses Moscow of delaying any ceasefire to seize more ground.
Kyiv continues to demand strong security guarantees
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybhia says Putin wastes the world’s time with these talks. Ukraine insists on firm and enforceable security guarantees. Zelensky says the world sees a chance to end the war but insists pressure on Russia must remain. He says his team changed key parts of the original US plan, which strongly favoured Moscow. After talks in Geneva, US and Ukrainian envoys present an “updated and refined peace framework” without detail. European negotiators also travel to Geneva and hold separate meetings after raising concerns.
European leaders warn of possible US pressure
A German news outlet reports that it obtained a confidential transcript of a call between European leaders. Emmanuel Macron allegedly warns that the US may push Ukraine to concede territory without strong security guarantees. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly urges Zelensky to act with great care. Finnish President Alexander Stubb allegedly says Ukraine must not face the negotiations alone. The outlet does not release the transcript. France denies Macron used those words and offers no further comment. Stubb declines to respond, and Merz remains silent.
The White House says senior US officials work to stop the killing. The statement says they gather feedback from both sides to build a durable and enforceable peace.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and now controls about 20% of Ukraine. Russian forces advance slowly in the south-east despite heavy reported casualties.
