Putin rejects any compromise in latest warning
Vladimir Putin demands that Ukrainian troops withdraw from the Donbas region. He says Russia will seize the area by force if Ukraine refuses. He tells India Today that Moscow already controls about 85% of the region. Volodymyr Zelensky rules out giving up territory.
Trump envoys see limited progress in Moscow
Putin’s remarks follow comments from Donald Trump, whose negotiators claim Russia’s leader wants to end the war. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff plans to meet the Ukrainian team in Florida next. Trump describes the Kremlin talks as “reasonably good” but says both sides must engage. The Kremlin now waits for a US response. Adviser Yuri Ushakov confirms no call between Putin and Trump is planned and no date exists for another meeting with Witkoff.
Revised US peace plan triggers disagreement
The original US plan proposed that Ukrainian-held parts of the Donbas shift under Russia’s de facto control. Witkoff’s team presents a revised version in Moscow. Putin says he had not seen the new proposal before meeting Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He explains that this forced them to go through each point in detail. He says Moscow rejects several elements. He avoids specifics, but two core disputes remain: the fate of occupied Ukrainian territory and security guarantees for Kyiv. Ushakov says the talks delivered “no compromise”. He claims Russia’s position strengthened through recent battlefield gains. Ukraine accuses Moscow of delaying any ceasefire to seize more land.
Kyiv demands binding security guarantees
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybhia says Putin wastes the world’s time. Ukraine continues to demand firm security guarantees. Zelensky says the world sees a real chance to end the war but insists any deal must involve pressure on Russia. He says his team changed key parts of the original US proposal, which heavily favoured Moscow. After meetings in Geneva, US and Ukrainian negotiators present an “updated and refined peace framework” without details. European negotiators also travel to Geneva and hold separate talks after raising earlier concerns.
Europe fears pressure on Ukraine
A German news outlet reports that it obtained a confidential transcript of a call among European leaders. Emmanuel Macron allegedly warns that the US may push Ukraine to surrender territory without receiving clear security guarantees. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly urges Zelensky to act carefully. Finnish President Alexander Stubb allegedly says Ukraine must not face the situation alone. The outlet does not publish the transcript. France denies Macron used those words and provides no further detail. Stubb declines to comment, and Merz remains silent.
The White House says senior US officials work to halt 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 troops advance slowly in the south-east despite heavy reported losses.
