Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that certain proposals within a U.S. peace plan for Ukraine are unacceptable to the Kremlin, indicating that a resolution remains distant.
U.S. President Donald Trump initiated a diplomatic effort to address the conflict. This initiative has encountered challenges regarding potential Ukrainian territorial concessions to Russia and guarantees for Ukraine's future security.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, identified as Trump's special envoy and son-in-law, were scheduled to meet with Ukraine's lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, in Miami on Thursday for additional discussions. This information was provided by an anonymous senior Trump administration official.
Kremlin Discussions
Putin described his five-hour discussions on Tuesday in the Kremlin with Witkoff and Kushner as "necessary" and "useful," yet also "difficult work," stating that some proposals were unacceptable.
These comments were made during an interview with India Today TV channel, conducted prior to his arrival in New Delhi for a state visit on Thursday. Russian state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti disseminated excerpts of his remarks ahead of the full interview broadcast.
Tass quoted Putin stating that during Tuesday's talks, "the sides had to go through each point" of the U.S. peace proposal, which contributed to the duration of the meeting. He characterized the conversation as "necessary" and "very concrete," indicating that while Moscow was prepared to discuss certain provisions, others were deemed unacceptable.
Trump stated on Wednesday that Witkoff and Kushner reported a strong impression that Putin desires a resolution to the conflict following their meeting.
Putin declined to specify which points Russia would accept or reject, and other involved officials did not disclose details of the discussions. Tass quoted Putin, who stated, "I think it is premature. Because it could simply disrupt the working regime" of the peace effort.
International Reactions
European leaders have voiced criticism regarding Washington's direct engagement with Moscow and Kyiv, with some suggesting Putin's interest in the peace initiative is not genuine.
French President Emmanuel Macron met with China's leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, aiming to enlist Chinese support in encouraging a ceasefire. Xi, representing a nation that has offered diplomatic support to Russia, did not explicitly respond to France's request but stated that "China supports all efforts that work towards peace."
Ongoing Conflict
Russian military actions targeting civilian areas in Ukraine persisted into Thursday. A missile strike in Kryvyi Rih on Wednesday night resulted in six injuries, including a 3-year-old girl, as reported by city administration head Oleksandr Vilkul. This incident caused damage to over 40 residential buildings, a school, and domestic gas infrastructure, according to Vilkul.
In Kherson, a 6-year-old girl succumbed to injuries sustained from Russian artillery shelling the preceding day, as reported by regional military administration chief Oleksandr Prokudin on Telegram. The Kherson Thermal Power Plant, which serves over 40,000 residents, ceased operations on Thursday following several days of drone and artillery strikes, Prokudin stated. Authorities initiated emergency meetings to secure alternative heating sources. Temporary tents were established throughout the city to provide warmth and charging facilities for residents.
Odesa was targeted by Russian drone strikes, resulting in six injuries and damage to civilian and energy infrastructure, according to Oleh Kiper, head of the regional military administration.
Ukrainian officials reported that Russia launched two ballistic missiles and 138 drones at Ukraine overnight.
In the Russian-occupied area of the Kherson region, two men died in a Ukrainian drone strike on their vehicle on Thursday. A 68-year-old woman was also injured in the incident, as stated by Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-appointed regional leader.