Ukraine and its European allies have criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for pretending to be interested in peace efforts following talks with U.S. envoys in the Kremlin that yielded no breakthrough after five hours. U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called on Putin to stop the bluster and bloodshed and support a just and lasting peace, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged Putin to stop wasting time.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand reiterated from Brussels that Ukraine must be part of the peace talks, emphasizing Canada’s significant military equipment support for Ukraine exceeding $200 million. The remarks highlight the ongoing tensions between Russia on one side and Ukraine and its European allies on the other regarding resolving the war that Russia initiated nearly four years ago.
Putin had accused European nations of sabotaging U.S.-led peace efforts a day earlier and warned that Russia was prepared for war with Europe if provoked. Since the 2022 invasion, European countries, along with the U.S., have provided substantial financial and military assistance to Kyiv. However, under President Donald Trump, the U.S. has moderated its support and shifted focus towards ending the conflict.
Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, described Tuesday’s talks as positive but did not disclose details. The future of the peace talks hinges on whether the Trump administration opts to increase pressure on Russia or Ukraine for concessions. An unveiled U.S. peace proposal faced criticism for favoring Moscow and granting some demands that Kyiv rejected.
European leaders fear that fulfilling Russia’s demands in Ukraine could embolden Moscow to threaten their nations, which have already experienced Russian incursions and alleged sabotage campaigns. Ushakov indicated that no compromise has been reached on the issue of territory, particularly the disputed Ukrainian regions Russia partially occupies and claims as its own.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed claims that Putin rejected the U.S. peace plan but refrained from providing further details, emphasizing the need for discreet negotiations for enhanced productivity. European NATO countries’ foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels, expressed impatience with Moscow, highlighting Putin’s aggressive stance on the battlefield and a lack of concessions for peace.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte affirmed continued military aid for Ukraine to maintain pressure on Moscow. While peace talks persist, Rutte emphasized the importance of ensuring Ukraine’s readiness to defend itself against Russian aggression.
