Ukraine and its European allies sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, accusing him of pretending to engage in peace talks after five hours of discussions with U.S. envoys at the Kremlin ended without progress.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper urged Putin to “end the bluster and the bloodshed and be ready to come to the table and to support a just and lasting peace.” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed the sentiment, calling on Putin to “stop wasting the world’s time.”
The remarks underscored the deep divide between Russia and Ukraine, along with its European allies, over how to end the war that began with Moscow’s invasion nearly four years ago.
Just a day earlier, Putin accused European governments of sabotaging U.S.-led peace efforts, warning that Russia would be prepared for war with Europe if provoked.
Since the 2022 invasion, Europe and the U.S. have poured billions into supporting Kyiv militarily and financially. Under President Donald Trump, however, Washington has scaled back direct support and instead focused on pushing for a negotiated settlement.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov described Tuesday’s Kremlin talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner as “positive,” though he declined to provide details.
Further negotiations are expected Thursday in Miami, where Witkoff and Kushner will meet Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov, according to a senior Trump administration official.
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