Russia(The COW News Digital)Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning to European governments, saying Moscow has no intention of initiating a conflict but is fully prepared to respond if Europe chooses war. Speaking to reporters in Moscow prior to a scheduled meeting with U.S. officials, Putin said Russia would match any European escalation with comparable force.
The Russian leader emphasized that his government does not seek confrontation and remains committed to diplomatic solutions, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, he accused European capitals of attempting to derail peace initiatives backed by the United States. According to Putin, Europe is working to “destroy the peace process” and prevent the implementation of a proposed ceasefire agreement brokered by Washington.
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Putin argued that European states have historically withdrawn from negotiations and are now allegedly undermining efforts to secure a settlement. He claimed that key European leaders do not want to see progress on the U.S. peace plan, which is believed to focus on de-escalation, territory control, and security guarantees. “They did not participate previously, and now they are trying to sabotage a potential deal,” Putin said.
The comments came ahead of a five-hour meeting between Putin and a U.S. delegation, which included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, an adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump. The talks covered the possibility of a ceasefire and broader steps toward a U.S.-led peace agreement. Kremlin officials described the discussion as productive but acknowledged that significant gaps remain.
Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, said that Russia accepted some of the U.S. proposals while others failed to reach consensus. He refrained from disclosing the exact points of disagreement but stated that the overall dialogue was “constructive and useful.” Ushakov added that although progress was made, no final agreement was reached and negotiations must continue.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, responding separately, noted that the draft peace framework contains multiple unresolved issues. He said further work is required before Kyiv can accept any proposal, emphasizing that Ukraine’s sovereignty and security remain central to its position.
Putin’s remarks reflect rising tensions between Moscow and European governments, which have taken a hard line on Russia through sanctions, military support to Ukraine, and diplomatic isolation. Analysts suggest that Moscow is attempting to pressure Europe while signaling openness to a U.S.-brokered settlement.
For now, prospects for peace remain uncertain as key stakeholders contest the terms of any future agreement, and both sides continue to prepare for potential escalation.
