Moscow Negotiations End in Stalemate as Putin Issues European Combat Warning

High-stakes peace negotiations between Russia and the United States to end the Ukraine conflict concluded without tangible results Tuesday, marking another setback for diplomatic efforts. Senior Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov acknowledged that five hours of discussions between President Putin and Trump administration representatives produced no advancement.
Russian President Putin delivered combative statements before negotiations commenced, accusing European governments of obstructing peace initiatives and preventing the Trump administration from achieving conflict resolution. The Russian leader warned that Moscow stood ready for immediate war with European powers if they initiated hostilities, though he asserted Russia had no intention of starting such a conflict.
The diplomatic engagement centered on an updated American peace framework that had been revised based on consultations with Russian officials and modifications to address Ukrainian objections. However, Ushakov indicated that discussions examined essential concepts rather than specific detailed provisions, with Putin expressing mixed reactions including agreement on some points and strong criticism of others.
President Zelenskyy positioned himself as ready to engage with outcomes from the Moscow talks, expressing willingness to meet with Trump and receive updates from the US delegation. The Ukrainian leader has pursued extensive consultations with European allies to secure support for peace plan modifications, particularly revisions to an earlier framework that heavily favored Russian interests.
The continued diplomatic stalemate unfolds as battlefield conditions evolve, with Putin claiming recent Russian territorial advances and threatening escalated strikes on Ukrainian maritime facilities. Russia maintains demanding positions that would severely compromise Ukrainian sovereignty, including dramatic military reductions, prohibition of Western military support, extensive political constraints, and acquisition of currently Ukrainian-controlled eastern territory.