What’s Next for Ukraine? Putin Rejects Key US Peace Proposals Amid Ongoing Conflict
Putin's Stance on US Peace Proposals
In a recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed that certain elements of a US proposal aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine are unacceptable to Russia. His remarks, released on Thursday, suggest that a resolution is still a distant prospect.
US President Donald Trump has initiated a significant diplomatic effort to halt the hostilities that have persisted since Russia's full-scale invasion nearly four years ago. However, this initiative faces challenges, particularly regarding Ukraine's territorial concessions to Russia and ensuring its security against future threats from Moscow.
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner, is scheduled to meet with Ukraine's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, later today in Miami for further discussions, as confirmed by a senior official from the Trump administration who requested anonymity.
Putin characterized his five-hour discussions with Witkoff and Kushner on Tuesday as 'necessary' and 'productive,' yet acknowledged that the negotiations were 'challenging,' with some proposals being unacceptable.
Speaking to India Today TV prior to his visit to New Delhi, Putin indicated that the talks involved a thorough examination of each aspect of the US peace proposal, which contributed to their lengthy duration.
He noted, 'This was a necessary conversation, very specific,' mentioning that while some provisions were open for discussion, others were non-negotiable.
Trump remarked on Wednesday that Witkoff and Kushner left their extensive meeting with the impression that Putin is eager to reach an agreement, stating, 'Their impression was very strongly that he’d like to make a deal.'
Putin refrained from detailing what Russia might accept or reject, and other officials involved did not provide specifics about the discussions.
'I believe it is too early to comment,' Putin stated, cautioning that premature remarks could disrupt the peace efforts.
European leaders, feeling sidelined as US officials engage directly with Moscow and Kyiv, have accused Putin of pretending to be interested in Trump's peace initiative.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine continued into Thursday, with a missile hitting Kryvyi Rih on Wednesday night, injuring six individuals, including a three-year-old girl, according to local authorities.
The assault on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown resulted in damage to over 40 residential buildings, a school, and gas pipelines, as reported by city administration head Oleksandr Vilkul.
In Kherson, a six-year-old girl lost her life due to injuries sustained from Russian shelling the previous day, as stated by regional military administration chief Oleksandr Prokudin on Telegram.
The Kherson Thermal Power Plant, which supplies heat to over 40,000 residents, was forced to shut down after being targeted by Russian drones and artillery for several days, prompting authorities to convene emergency meetings to secure alternative heating sources. In the interim, tents have been set up across the city for residents to warm up and charge their devices.
Odesa also faced drone strikes from Russia, resulting in six injuries and damage to civilian and energy infrastructure, according to Oleh Kiper, head of the regional military administration.
Overall, Russian forces launched two ballistic missiles and 138 drones at Ukraine overnight, officials reported.
In the Russian-occupied area of Kherson, two men were killed by a Ukrainian drone strike on their vehicle, as reported by Moscow-installed regional leader Vladimir Saldo.