The never-ending peace talks continue to be drawn out as reports indicate both Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy canceled a meeting with the President’s envoys and returned home. Meanwhile Trump’s negotiators have returned to Washington. This worrying development comes mere days after Vladimir Putin made a direct threat towards Europe.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the men responsible for the Gaza peace deal, have returned to Washington D.C. after a gruelling five hours of negotiations at the Kremlin on Tuesday as per an article from the Daily Mail. While it’s not known exactly what was discussed, the fact that today’s planned meeting with Zelenskyy in Brussels was canceled doesn’t bode well for the supposed peace deal.
A day prior to the negotiations stalling, Putin had made a concerning threat against Europe in which he warned that Russia was “ready” for conflict. His chilling message alluded to an outright war as he said that after the assault on Europe there would be “nobody left to negotiate peace with.”
Vladimir Putin blames Europe for delaying peace
Despite being the aggressor here, Putin has pointed the finger at European leaders for causing the peace negotiations to stall. While the Russian President’s aides claimed that Tuesday’s meeting showed some promise, with some of the proposals being called “more or less acceptable.” However, Putin has accused European leaders of sabotaging the negotiations, stating, “they’re on the side of war.”
Last month it seemed hopeful that a peace deal might be signed. Trump revealed a 28-point plan for peace between the two warring countries although skeptics have expressed doubts that either side should agree to it. The plan fails to adhere to many of Putin’s more extreme demands while also expecting Zelenskyy to relinquish a great deal too.
However, Putin has accused Europe of amending the deal with “demands that are absolutely unacceptable to Russia.” He claims they are the ones holding back the peace deal and blaming Russia for it.
How serious are the threats against Europe?
Putin claimed that “We’re not planning to go to war with Europe,” but added that, “if Europe suddenly wants to fight us and starts, we’re ready right now.” Obviously neither side likely wants an outright war between these two powerhouses.
One skeptical article from the Daily Mail suggests that Putin’s threat against Europe is nothing more than a bluff. A NATO official claimed that the Russian president knows that his country is “not capable of winning’ against the alliance – which is more united than ever.”
It’s unlikely Putin would choose another fight right now, but the break down in these peace talks is still a worrying development as it seems the war between Ukraine and Russia is set to continue.
Published: Dec 3, 2025 05:15 pm