Vladimir Putin has struck a defiant tone over the Ukraine conflict, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s latest peace plan and warning that Russia is “ready right now” if Europe seeks confrontation.
The Russian leader met for five hours at the Kremlin with Trump’s team, including US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, following separate discussions with a Ukrainian delegation in Florida.
After the meeting, Putin’s senior foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters that while some elements of the proposal were acceptable, other suggestions “provoked criticism” and “there’s still a lot of work to be done” before any further high-level meetings.
He said: “We could agree on some things, and the president confirmed this to his interlocutors. Other things provoked criticism, and the president also didn’t hide our critical and even negative attitude toward several proposals.”
One major stumbling block is Russia’s insistence that Ukraine cedes control of the Donbas region, a demand that has raised concerns among European leaders and threatens to complicate further negotiations.
“Territorial issues were specifically discussed, without which we see no resolution to the crisis,” Mr Ushakov added.
Although Mr Ushakov described the discussions as “constructive and rather substantive,” he noted that talks focused on the framework of the US peace plan rather than detailed wording. Some proposals were “more or less acceptable,” he said, but others “don’t suit us,” meaning negotiations are set to continue.
Putin Issues Warning to Europe
Earlier in the day, Putin spoke at an investment forum, accusing European powers of modifying peace proposals for Ukraine in ways Russia finds “absolutely unacceptable.” He claimed Europe was “on the side of war” and issued a clear warning.
“We’re not planning to go to war with Europe, I’ve said that a hundred times. But if Europe suddenly wants to fight us and starts, we’re ready right now. There can be no doubt about that,” Putin said.
Vladimir Putin warns that Russia is ready to go to war with all of Europe if that’s the path European leaders choose.
He insists Moscow has no intention of starting a war, but says if Europe ignites it, Russia will be the one to finish it.
He adds that facing Europe would be… pic.twitter.com/xiX9JHGbsW
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) December 2, 2025
The Russian chairman added that such a script could leave Europe without a negotiating mate.
European nations have formerly invested billions into supporting Ukraine, strengthening fortified forces, and reducing reliance on Russian energy, while trying to maintain European security.
Security judges advise that if Russia achieves its pretensions in Ukraine, it could prompt Moscow to hang other European countries, a concern heightened by repeated incursions by Russian drones and fighter spurts over the once months.
Zelenskyy in Dublin
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Dublin to meet Ireland’s Prime Minister and the chairman.
Speaking to the press, he stressed that issues from the Moscow addresses are pivotal and that timely updates from the US envoys will guide Ukraine’s coming way.
“The future and the next steps depend on these signals. If the signals show fair play with our partners, we then might meet very soon,” Mr Zelenskyy said.
He added, “Our people are dying every day. I am ready… to meet with President Trump. It all depends on the talks.” Zelenskyy emphasised that tough decisions lie ahead, but there must be “no games behind Ukraine’s back.”
What does this mean for Europe and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict?
The rejection of the Trump peace plan by Vladimir Putin marks another tense stage in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, showing that Moscow remains loyal to territorial demands in the Donbas region.
Judges say the situation underlines the fragile nature of peace addresses and the implicit pitfalls to European security if pressures escalate further.
As Ukraine accommodations continue, the world watches closely. The stakes remain high, with both Kyiv and Moscow under pressure to navigate a path towards a lasting ceasefire, while Europe braces for the broader consequences of the ongoing war.
