Putin holds Ukraine peace talks with negotiators in Moscow

Vladimir Putin hosted US negotiators in the Kremlin on Tuesday in five hours of talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, which a Russian official said was “productive”.

Discussions with US Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s Sig-in Jared Kushner are being held behind closed doors and details have not yet emerged.

They came shortly after Putin said the demands of the US-Russia draft peace zone were unacceptable, adding that “if we want to do it”.

The US envoys went to Moscow after similar talks with delegates from Kyiv last week. Ukraine’s President Zelensky said he expects a briefing with the US team after the meeting.

He said there was an opportunity to end the war “now more than ever” but that elements of the proposals still needed to be worked out.

“Everything depends on the discussions now,” Zelensky told a press conference in Dublin during an official visit to Ireland.

Representatives of Kyiv Twice met with US businessmen, including WitKOff, Kusner and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, since 28-POINT PLAY PLAN – WANT viewed favorably in Moscow – surrounded in November.

This has sparked shock in Ukraine and around Europe which has shown favor to the demands of Moscow, which invaded Ukraine almost four years ago.

After talks with Ukraine over the weekend, the White House said the proposals were “much more focused.

Some key disagreements between Moscow and Kyiv remain over Ukrainian sovereignty over territories that parties have security powers over.

Zelensky said on Tuesday that there are “not simple solutions”, repeating the participation of Kyiv agreed to the peace talks, such as security membership – a step in NATO – a step in NATO – a step opposed by Russia and ruled by Trumpia.

“We need to stop the war in such a way that in a year, Russia will not return”, added Zelensky.

Putin has appeared unwavering in its demands as recently as last week, while Zelensky has consistently said he will not relinquish control of the Eastern Ukrainian regions.

As Tuesday’s talks got under way, Trump told his Washington cabinet that the conflict would not be resolved easily.

“Our people are over in Russia today to see if we can settle,” he said. “What a mess.”

Kyiv’s European allies abandoned the 28-point plan in their own document – removing many of the more controversial elements, such as Washington’s recognition of Donetsk and Lahansk as de facto Russian.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, Putin told reporters the European demands were “unacceptable” and that they were trying to prevent peace efforts.

Afterwards, Russian Foreign Policy Minister Kirill Dmitrieev – who was at the table – described the talks as “productive”.

Zelensky met French president Emmanuel Macron on Monday, with several European leaders participating in the meeting.

Macron said there was an “unfinished plan to talk about” and that it could only be achieved with input from Ukraine and Europe.

Meanwhile, fighting continued on the front lines on Tuesday. Ukraine’s military said it was still engaging Russian troops in the key eastern city of Pokrovsk – contradicting Moscow’s claim that it had taken it.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense shared a video on Telegram that it claims shows troops holding the flags of the strategic city, which they have been trying to seize for more than a year.

Ukraine’s Eastern Command claims Russia tried to “flag-plant” the city so “propagandists” could say it was captured. “They are hurrying, and the softening of enemy groups continues,” it said in a statement on social media.

The Ukrainian military said its forces were still in control of the northern part of the city, with Russian units suffering heavy losses, while international observers also disputed Russia’s claim to the area.

Kyiv’s military also played down Russia’s claims of capturing the North-Eastern Ukrainian Town of Vovchansk and said “Russia claims to have occupied a space.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed or wounded – along with more than 14,000 civilians, according to the UN.

Civilian targets including kindergartens, hospitals and residential areas have been destroyed or severely damaged by drone or missile attacks.

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