In Moscow, a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the special representative of the US President Steven Witkoff began with a significant delay, in which Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also participates.
The meeting was scheduled for five o’clock in the afternoon local time. At this time, the Russian leader spoke at an investment forum and accused Europe of lacking a peace agenda, saying that “it is on the side of war.”
“We are not going to fight with Europe, I have already said this a hundred times. But if Europe suddenly wants to fight and starts, we are ready right now. If Europe suddenly wants to start a war and starts it, then a situation could very quickly arise in which we will have no one to negotiate with,” Putin said, speaking at the forum.
Putin was friendlier with American emissaries. He expressed his joy at the meeting, noting that, as far as he knows, Vitkoff and Kushner managed to walk around Moscow. “The Moscow authorities are rightfully proud of what they have done for the development of the capital recently. I hope you were able to see this,” he added.
The subject of the meeting was the settlement plan for Ukraine proposed by US President Trump. It provides for the transfer to Russia of full control over the Donetsk and Lugansk regions – even over territories that it does not control. Other unacceptable points for Ukraine are refusal to join NATO and limiting the size of the armed forces.
The day before, the chief of the general staff of the Russian army, Valery Gerasimov, informed President Vladimir Putin about the capture of the city of Pokrovsk, located in the Donetsk region, a strategic point, the assault on which lasted several months.
According to Ukrainian representatives, we are talking about loud statements designed to influence the course of negotiations. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that fighting continues in the Pokrovsky direction. The statements of the Russian side were also denied by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.