THE GUARDIAN: Russian president says European demands ‘not acceptable’ as key talks begin in Moscow with Witkoff and Kushner
Vladimir Putin has accused Europe of standing in the way of US efforts to end the war in Ukraine, as he began key talks in the Kremlin with Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, and the US president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Witkoff, on his sixth trip to Moscow this year, is to present Putin with an updated version of a US peace proposal drafted with input from a senior Russian official and reworked to make it more acceptable to Kyiv.
The two Trump allies arrived in Moscow on Tuesday after meeting Ukrainian officials at the weekend in Florida to discuss revisions to the original 28-point peace plan, which overwhelmingly favoured Moscow.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on a diplomatic push to rally support among European capitals that have backed changes to the original plan, said in Paris that the updated version of the proposal “looks better” but emphasised it was “not over yet”.
Moments before the closed-door meeting with Witkoff and Kushner, Putin made a series of hard-edged remarks. Speaking to reporters at the Kremlin, he accused European governments of sabotaging the peace process and said that “European demands” on ending the war in Ukraine were “not acceptable to Russia”.
“Europe is preventing the US administration from achieving peace on Ukraine,” Putin said, adding: “Russia does not intend to fight Europe, but if Europe starts, we are ready right now.” » | Pjotr Sauer | Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Showing posts with label Russo-Ukrainian War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russo-Ukrainian War. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 02, 2025
Monday, December 01, 2025
'Washington Sees Europe as Inconsequential,' Former US Commanding General in Europe Tells Euronews
Dec 1, 2025 | 'Washington sees Europe as inconsequential,' former US commanding general in Europe tells Euronews.
In an interview with Euronews’ flagship morning show Europe Today, former commanding general of US Army Europe General Ben Hodges warned that the continent is “slowly waking to the realisation” that it cannot count on the US as a fair partner.
In an interview with Euronews’ flagship morning show Europe Today, former commanding general of US Army Europe General Ben Hodges warned that the continent is “slowly waking to the realisation” that it cannot count on the US as a fair partner.
Friday, November 28, 2025
The Guardian View on Ukraine Peace Talks: Putin Is Taking Trump for Another Ride on the Kremlin Carousel
THE GUARDIAN — EDITORIAL: Russia’s president is only interested in a deal on Moscow’s terms. Equipping Kyiv with the resources to fight on is the quickest route to a just settlement
As Donald Trump’s Thanksgiving Day deadline for a Ukraine peace agreement came and went this week, the Russia expert Mark Galeotti pointed to a telling indicator of how the Kremlin is treating the latest flurry of White House diplomacy. In the government paper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, a foreign policy scholar close to Vladimir Putin’s regime bluntly observed: “As long as hostilities continue, leverage remains. As soon as they cease, Russia finds itself alone (we harbour no illusions) in the face of coordinated political and diplomatic pressure.”
Mr Putin has no interest in a ceasefire followed by talks where Ukraine’s rights as a sovereign nation would be defended and reasserted. He seeks the capitulation and reabsorption of Russia’s neighbour into Moscow’s orbit. Whether that is achieved through battlefield attrition, or through a Trump-backed deal imposed on Ukraine, is a matter of relative indifference. On Thursday, the Russian president reiterated his demand that Ukraine surrender further territory in its east, adding that the alternative would be to lose it through “force of arms”. Once again, he described Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government as “illegitimate”, and questioned the legally binding nature of any future agreement. » | Editorial | Friday, November 28, 2025
As Donald Trump’s Thanksgiving Day deadline for a Ukraine peace agreement came and went this week, the Russia expert Mark Galeotti pointed to a telling indicator of how the Kremlin is treating the latest flurry of White House diplomacy. In the government paper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, a foreign policy scholar close to Vladimir Putin’s regime bluntly observed: “As long as hostilities continue, leverage remains. As soon as they cease, Russia finds itself alone (we harbour no illusions) in the face of coordinated political and diplomatic pressure.”
Mr Putin has no interest in a ceasefire followed by talks where Ukraine’s rights as a sovereign nation would be defended and reasserted. He seeks the capitulation and reabsorption of Russia’s neighbour into Moscow’s orbit. Whether that is achieved through battlefield attrition, or through a Trump-backed deal imposed on Ukraine, is a matter of relative indifference. On Thursday, the Russian president reiterated his demand that Ukraine surrender further territory in its east, adding that the alternative would be to lose it through “force of arms”. Once again, he described Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government as “illegitimate”, and questioned the legally binding nature of any future agreement. » | Editorial | Friday, November 28, 2025
Trump Is ‘No Friend’ to Ukraine as Europe ‘Steps Up’ to Take Down Putin | Sir Bill Browder
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Kasparov: “Everything Indicates That the War Efforts Will Be Stepping Up” | Garry Kasparov
Nov 24, 2025 | “The only way to end the war in Ukraine is to destroy Putin’s war machine,” Garry Kasparov, Chairman of the Renew Democracy Initiative, told TVP World. Kasparov added that “everyone knows Putin's plans are not limited by Ukraine,” and Europe is preparing itself for war.
Speaking with TVP World's Aaron Dahmen, Kasparov also said that Trump's 28-point peace plan “is blatant corruption, and has nothing to do with peace.” According to our guest “if accepted, the 28-point deal would mean the end of Ukraine's sovereignty.”
“Everything indicates that the war efforts will be stepping up,” said Kasparov, adding that he “still sees the remote chance that there will be a ceasefire, but it will be used by Putin's regime to prepare for further aggression.
Speaking with TVP World's Aaron Dahmen, Kasparov also said that Trump's 28-point peace plan “is blatant corruption, and has nothing to do with peace.” According to our guest “if accepted, the 28-point deal would mean the end of Ukraine's sovereignty.”
“Everything indicates that the war efforts will be stepping up,” said Kasparov, adding that he “still sees the remote chance that there will be a ceasefire, but it will be used by Putin's regime to prepare for further aggression.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Trump Can’t Be Trusted, He’s ‘Our Enemy’s Friend’ | General Sir Richard Shireff
Nov 26, 2025 | “America under Trump is simply not an unreliable ally, it is our enemy's friend.”
Europe has to “do it alone”, says General Sir Richard Sheriff, as Trump can no longer be trusted after his peace plan with Putin.
Europe has to “do it alone”, says General Sir Richard Sheriff, as Trump can no longer be trusted after his peace plan with Putin.
Putin Is Scared of His Own Soldiers | Kurt Volker
Nov 26, 2025 | “The last thing Putin really wants is all those soldier fighting in Ukraine to actually come home.”
Putin doesn’t want to end his invasion of Ukraine, not least because returning Russia soldiers would cause “a problem inside Russia,” says US special representative for Ukraine Negotiations during Donald Trump's first term, Kurt Volker.
The West has sold Ukraine and the Ukrainians down the river. Further, the Ukrainians have been left fighting for Europe to be able to survive. America and Europe should have taken a firm stance against Putin from the very beginning and come to the aid of Ukrainians early on to defeat the Russian aggressor. But such a strategy would have required courage and co-operation, which western nations simply didn’t have. The result is plain to see: a nation in ruins, with hundreds of thousands of deaths, both on the Ukrainian side and the Russian side, to say nothing of the people who have lost limbs. Western powers were simply too weak and feeble and fearful to stop Putin’s aggression. As a result, the war is ongoing, as is the killing and destruction. Jawing stops no wars! — © Mark Alexander
Putin doesn’t want to end his invasion of Ukraine, not least because returning Russia soldiers would cause “a problem inside Russia,” says US special representative for Ukraine Negotiations during Donald Trump's first term, Kurt Volker.
The West has sold Ukraine and the Ukrainians down the river. Further, the Ukrainians have been left fighting for Europe to be able to survive. America and Europe should have taken a firm stance against Putin from the very beginning and come to the aid of Ukrainians early on to defeat the Russian aggressor. But such a strategy would have required courage and co-operation, which western nations simply didn’t have. The result is plain to see: a nation in ruins, with hundreds of thousands of deaths, both on the Ukrainian side and the Russian side, to say nothing of the people who have lost limbs. Western powers were simply too weak and feeble and fearful to stop Putin’s aggression. As a result, the war is ongoing, as is the killing and destruction. Jawing stops no wars! — © Mark Alexander
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Trump's Plan Will Fail: Peace Deal Will Not Be Signed by Thanksgiving
Nov 25, 2025 | “Thanksgiving is going to come and go without this being signed.”
Trump’s “attention” on the Ukraine war will once again go when the peace plan is not signed by his deadline of Thanksgiving, says former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.
Trump’s “attention” on the Ukraine war will once again go when the peace plan is not signed by his deadline of Thanksgiving, says former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.
Monday, November 24, 2025
Trump’s ‘Disturbing’ Proposal Sets Ukraine Up for a ‘Third Russian Invasion’ | John Bolton
Trump’s Peace Plan Was Written by the Russians | Sir Bill Browder
Nov 23, 2025 | “[It said] this was written in Russia. The syntax etc. was all translated from Russian to English.”
AI has analysed the US peace plan for Ukraine and it shows that the Russians wrote it, says CEO of the Hermitage Fund and author Sir Bill Browder.
AI has analysed the US peace plan for Ukraine and it shows that the Russians wrote it, says CEO of the Hermitage Fund and author Sir Bill Browder.
Trump Accused of Putin Bias Following US Peace Plan Proposal
Nov 24, 2025 | “He's not a big fan of Zelensky, he is a big fan of Vladimir Putin.”
Trump’s peace plan underlines that the US president is siding with Russia, describing Ukraine as “part of" the Russian world, says The New York Times's Steven Erlanger.
Trump’s peace plan underlines that the US president is siding with Russia, describing Ukraine as “part of" the Russian world, says The New York Times's Steven Erlanger.
Europe Can Topple Putin All On Its Own | Lt Gen. Ben Hodges
Nov 24, 2025 | "The collective economies, wealth, industry, technology, and populations of Europe dwarfs Russia."
Europe should "stop whining" about the US-Russia deal and instead take ownership of the terms in favour of Ukraine, says former commanding general of the US Army in Europe, Ben Hodges.
Europe should "stop whining" about the US-Russia deal and instead take ownership of the terms in favour of Ukraine, says former commanding general of the US Army in Europe, Ben Hodges.
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Trump’s Peace Plan Endangers the Transatlantic Alliance | Robert Fox
Nov 23, 2025 | “Perhaps one of the biggest crises in the history of the alliance.”
The US peace plan for Ukraine proves Trump is an “unreliable ally”, and NATO is worried, says Evening Standard defence editor Robert Fox.
The US peace plan for Ukraine proves Trump is an “unreliable ally”, and NATO is worried, says Evening Standard defence editor Robert Fox.
Geneva Hosts Ukraine Talks as Trump Pushes Peace Plan | BBC News
Fresh talks on the future of the war in Ukraine are under way - with delegations from the US, Ukraine, and its European allies holding discussions in Geneva.
Andriy Yermak, a Ukrainian official, says the mood is constructive. And a US official tells the BBC there’s optimism - and momentum, as he put it. But what’s on the table is a 28-point peace proposal for Ukraine that reflects Russia’s key demands. Everything from Ukraine abandoning hard-defended land, to a ban on joining NATO. And US President Donald Trump has given Kyiv until Thursday to sign up.
Met with dismay in Ukraine, the deal’s controversial even in the US - where Secretary of State Marco Rubio had to confirm that this is in fact a US proposal, and not one written by the Kremlin.
Rubio is here today, as are officials from the European Union and UK anxious to ensure that if this is a starting point for a lasting peace deal - a big if - then Ukraine’s voice, and those of all its allies, must be heard.
Marco Rubio is playing a very strange role here, isn’t he? In fact, his roles keep changing, it seems. One of his roles is as warmonger, stoking the fires and tensions of the US with Venezuela, yet here in Europe, he is trying to play the peacemaker, trying to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine! If Volodymyr Zelenskyy is wise, he will reject this Kremlin-pleasing and Kremlin-inspired offer. Ukraine needs a better peace deal than this pathetic excuse for one. — © Mark Alexander
My thoughts on this so-called peace proposal are here.
Andriy Yermak, a Ukrainian official, says the mood is constructive. And a US official tells the BBC there’s optimism - and momentum, as he put it. But what’s on the table is a 28-point peace proposal for Ukraine that reflects Russia’s key demands. Everything from Ukraine abandoning hard-defended land, to a ban on joining NATO. And US President Donald Trump has given Kyiv until Thursday to sign up.
Met with dismay in Ukraine, the deal’s controversial even in the US - where Secretary of State Marco Rubio had to confirm that this is in fact a US proposal, and not one written by the Kremlin.
Rubio is here today, as are officials from the European Union and UK anxious to ensure that if this is a starting point for a lasting peace deal - a big if - then Ukraine’s voice, and those of all its allies, must be heard.
Marco Rubio is playing a very strange role here, isn’t he? In fact, his roles keep changing, it seems. One of his roles is as warmonger, stoking the fires and tensions of the US with Venezuela, yet here in Europe, he is trying to play the peacemaker, trying to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine! If Volodymyr Zelenskyy is wise, he will reject this Kremlin-pleasing and Kremlin-inspired offer. Ukraine needs a better peace deal than this pathetic excuse for one. — © Mark Alexander
My thoughts on this so-called peace proposal are here.
Europeans Rush to Foil Ukraine Deal Favouring Kremlin
THE OBSERVER: Kyiv’s allies seek to thwart Trump negotiator’s peace plan that gives in to Russian demands and turns the screw on embattled Zelensky
European leaders were scrambling this weekend to prevent US President Donald Trump from forcing Ukraine to sign a peace deal on terms widely viewed as favourable to Russia.
In a sign of a fresh rift between the Trump administration and Kyiv’s European allies, prime minister Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced concern over the plan, saying it needed more work.Starmer said he would talk to Trump “in the coming days”.
Trump has given Ukraine just a week to sign the deal, presenting President Volodymyr Zelensky with one of his hardest decisions since Russia invaded. Ukrainian negotiators are due to meet US officials in Switzerland for talks that will determine the country’s future – and that of the Western alliance. The widely leaked 28-point peace plan, put together by the US special envoy Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart, Kirill Dmitriev, reflects many of the uncompromising demands made by Russia throughout the war that Kyiv has consistently rejected: ceding eastern areas it now controls, significantly cutting its army size and pledging not to join Nato.
It has been backed by Vladimir Putin, who called it a “modernised” version of the one discussed at the Alaska summit with Trump in August.
The US has cautioned that the lopsided proposal is still “in flux”, but has also threatened to withdraw intelligence sharing and arms deliveries if Zelensky does not accept the deal by Thursday. “At some point, he’s going to have to accept something he hasn’t accepted,” Trump told reporters. » | Liz Cookman | Sunday, November 23, 2025
European leaders were scrambling this weekend to prevent US President Donald Trump from forcing Ukraine to sign a peace deal on terms widely viewed as favourable to Russia.
In a sign of a fresh rift between the Trump administration and Kyiv’s European allies, prime minister Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced concern over the plan, saying it needed more work.Starmer said he would talk to Trump “in the coming days”.
Trump has given Ukraine just a week to sign the deal, presenting President Volodymyr Zelensky with one of his hardest decisions since Russia invaded. Ukrainian negotiators are due to meet US officials in Switzerland for talks that will determine the country’s future – and that of the Western alliance. The widely leaked 28-point peace plan, put together by the US special envoy Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart, Kirill Dmitriev, reflects many of the uncompromising demands made by Russia throughout the war that Kyiv has consistently rejected: ceding eastern areas it now controls, significantly cutting its army size and pledging not to join Nato.
It has been backed by Vladimir Putin, who called it a “modernised” version of the one discussed at the Alaska summit with Trump in August.
The US has cautioned that the lopsided proposal is still “in flux”, but has also threatened to withdraw intelligence sharing and arms deliveries if Zelensky does not accept the deal by Thursday. “At some point, he’s going to have to accept something he hasn’t accepted,” Trump told reporters. » | Liz Cookman | Sunday, November 23, 2025
Trump Aligns US with Dictator Putin to Force Ukraine Deal - Ignoring All Western Allies.
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.
My comment, which I believe to be spot on, can be read here.
PS: Is it, perhaps, a co-incidence that the man behind this proposal is Witkoff, a man whose name is of Russian origin, or is there a deeper meaning to this? — © Mark Alexander
Saturday, November 22, 2025
Trump Should ‘Kneecap’ Putin Now | Sir Bill Browder Reacts to ‘Tone Deaf’ Peace Plan for Ukraine
My comment can be read here.
Trump’s Peace Plan ‘Destined to Be Stillborn’ | Kurt Volker
Nov 20, 2025 | “This is a half-baked idea.”
The newest peace plan presented by the US is akin to “sitting down with Hamas and presenting the plan to Israel”, says former US special representative to Ukraine Kurt Volker.
My comment can be read here.
The newest peace plan presented by the US is akin to “sitting down with Hamas and presenting the plan to Israel”, says former US special representative to Ukraine Kurt Volker.
My comment can be read here.
Trump’s Right-hand Man Has Been ‘A Bit Hasty’: Why Western Leaders Need to Talk Down Trump
Nov 22, 2025 | “Starmer needs to agree with Macron, and Merz and others on a way forward… and then get on the video link to Washington and talk Trump through this.”
Western leaders must show Trump that Witkoff has been “a bit hasty here” in his peace plan with Putin, says former national security adviser Lord Ricketts.
My comment can be read here.
Western leaders must show Trump that Witkoff has been “a bit hasty here” in his peace plan with Putin, says former national security adviser Lord Ricketts.
My comment can be read here.
Friday, November 21, 2025
Trump’s ‘Ignorant’ Witkoff Doesn't Understand the Basic Principles of World Affairs
Nov 21, 2025 | “It’s an absolutely absurd, ludicrous, illiterate document written by ignorant people.”
Witkoff’s peace plan with Putin proves he doesn’t understand the “basic principles of world affairs”, says chair of the foreign affairs select committee in the Ukrainian parliament, Oleksandr Merezhko.
Witkoff’s peace plan with Putin proves he doesn’t understand the “basic principles of world affairs”, says chair of the foreign affairs select committee in the Ukrainian parliament, Oleksandr Merezhko.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)