Putin Warns Europe of Swift Defeat During Trump-Led Ukraine Diplomacy Push (Image: X)
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Donald Trump’s special envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, in the Kremlin for talks aimed at finding a path to end the war in Ukraine. The high-stakes meeting unfolded as Putin launched sharp attacks on European powers, accusing them of trying to block the peace process.
The closed-door discussion included Trump’s son-in-law and former adviser Jared Kushner and real estate developer Steve Witkoff, acting as the president’s personal envoys. On the Russian side, Putin was joined by his aide Yuri Ushakov and his envoy, Kirill Dmitriev. The meeting followed a symbolic stroll by the Americans with Dmitriev on Moscow’s Red Square.
While no formal agreement was discussed, Putin has referred to a set of U.S. draft proposals that could form a "basis for future agreements." A leaked version of these proposals last week alarmed Ukrainian and European officials. The terms reportedly bow to key Russian demands, including a ban on Ukraine joining NATO, limits on the size of the Ukrainian army, and recognition of Russian control over occupied Ukrainian territories like Crimea and parts of the Donbas.
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European powers, fearing a deal that forces Ukrainian surrender and rewards Russian aggression, presented a counter-proposal. Putin dismissed this outright ahead of the Kremlin meeting. He accused Europe of being "on the side of war" and making demands "absolutely unacceptable to Russia." He issued a stark warning, stating any war started by Europe would end swiftly with Russia victorious.
For Ukraine, the U.S. draft terms are viewed as a potential capitulation. Accepting them would mean legally ceding about a fifth of its territory and accepting permanent military restrictions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy insists Russia must not be rewarded for its invasion. The discussions come amid continued fierce fighting, with Russia claiming the capture of the key city of Pokrovsk, a claim contested by Kyiv.
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A Russian source suggested the Trump team’s efforts represent the best chance for peace since early 2022. However, a vast gap remains. The U.S. drafts align closely with Moscow’s goals, while Ukraine and Europe seek a peace that restores its territorial integrity. The talks underscore a deep transatlantic divide over how to end Europe’s deadliest conflict in decades, with the fate of Ukraine hanging in the balance.
