Putin suggests no Ukraine compromise in meeting with US envoys

Vladimir Putin signalled that Russia would not soften its territorial demands in talks with US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, dimming hopes of a near-term agreement to end the war in Ukraine. He also rejected foreign peacekeeping troops, while the envoys urged Russia to include European representatives in future negotiations.

Putin proposed a short-term ceasefire for a “humanitarian mission” in Kostyantynivka, where he said 400 to 500 civilians remained; Ukraine said fighting there continued and questioned Russia’s intentions. Moscow claims to have annexed four Ukrainian regions, though it does not control them all and the annexations are rejected by Kyiv and Western governments. The envoys were due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin, where he said new limits on Starshield satellite internet were hampering Ukrainian forces.