MOSCOW, Dec 4: Russian President Vladimir Putin says several elements of a US plan to end the war in Ukraine are unacceptable to Moscow, signalling that a peace deal remains distant.
His comments followed five hours of talks in the Kremlin with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are continuing negotiations with Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov in Miami.
Putin described the discussions as “necessary” and “concrete” but also difficult, refusing to specify which proposals Russia rejects.
Trump said his envoys left the meeting believing Putin wants a deal, though Putin warned it is too early to reveal details.
European leaders, largely sidelined in the US-led peace push, accuse Putin of only pretending to engage.
In Beijing, French President Emmanuel Macron urged China’s Xi Jinping to pressure Moscow toward a ceasefire, but Xi offered only general support for peace efforts.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks across Ukraine continued. Missile and drone strikes hit Kryvyi Rih, Odesa and Kherson, wounding civilians and damaging homes, schools and energy infrastructure.
A 6-year-old girl died in Kherson, and the city’s thermal power plant shut down after repeated strikes. Ukrainian drone attacks also killed two people in Russia-occupied Kherson. (AP)
