Vladimir Putin declared Russia's readiness for war with Europe, prompting British officials to dismiss his remarks as familiar "sabre-rattling." The Russian president's aggressive stance came after five hours of talks in Moscow with Donald Trump's envoys failed to produce a breakthrough on ending the war in Ukraine.
The Kremlin meeting on Tuesday brought together Putin, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Despite the lengthy discussions, Putin's top foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters: «Compromises have not yet been found. There is still a lot of work to be done.»
Putin accused European allies of sabotaging peace efforts by introducing "absolutely unacceptable" demands into proposed peace plans, claiming they were "blocking the entire peace process."
UK officials push back
British Health Secretary Wes Streeting rejected Putin's rhetoric on Sky News: «I think we should see this for what it is, which is the same old sabre-rattling we've heard from President Putin.»
He added: «And the irony of President Putin talking about warmongering on the part of European leaders would be laughable if what he's doing in Ukraine weren't so serious.» Streeting confirmed Britain takes the Russian threat seriously and is "prioritising investment in defence."
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, arriving at a Nato foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, called on Putin to «end the bluster and the bloodshed.» She announced an additional £10 million in UK aid for Ukraine's energy infrastructure repair.
Cooper said: «Two presidents are seeking peace – President Trump and President Zelensky. But so far, all we have seen from President Putin is an attempt to escalate war, and that is why President Putin should end the bluster and the bloodshed and be ready to come to the table and to support a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the security of Europe and the security of Nato.»
Kremlin signals continued deadlock
Putin stated following an investment forum: «We're not planning to go to war with Europe, I've said that a hundred times.» But he warned: «But if Europe suddenly wants to fight us and starts, we're ready right now. There can be no doubt about that.»
Ushakov indicated some flexibility in Russia's position, noting: «Some of the American proposals seem more or less acceptable, but they need to be discussed.» However, he added: «Some of the wording that was proposed to us doesn't suit us. So, the work will continue.»
The Kremlin considered the talks "constructive" but stressed significant work remains. No meeting between Putin and Trump is currently planned.
US claims limited progress
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a more optimistic assessment. He told Fox News: «And so what we have tried to do, and I think have made some progress, is figure out, what could the Ukrainians live with that gives them security guarantees for the future.»
Trump described the situation more bluntly in Washington: «Our people are over in Russia right now to see if we can get it settled. Not an easy situation, let me tell you. What a mess.» He cited casualty figures of 25,000 to 30,000 per month in the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in Dublin, expressed cautious optimism: «A little bit optimism was in my words because of some speed of negotiations, and from the American side, their interest in it.» He noted positively that America is "not withdrawing now from any kind of diplomatic way of dialogue."
The talks followed recent meetings in Geneva between US and Ukrainian officials to create an "updated and refined peace framework" for the conflict.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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