Putin Open to Europe’s Role in Peace Talks
Despite previous resistance from Brussels, Vladimir Putin now says Europe is welcome to join peace talks between Russia and the US. “Their participation in the negotiating process is needed. We never rejected that, we held constant discussions with them,” Putin said in a Russian state TV interview.
However, he accused European leaders of refusing to engage in past negotiations. “At times, on the pretext of inflicting on Russia a battlefield defeat, they were the ones who refused contact with us. If they want to come back, that’s fine,” he added.
Riyadh Talks Spark Controversy
Last week, Russia and the US held an initial round of discussions in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine and its European allies were not invited, drawing criticism from Kyiv. Putin dismissed objections, calling them “emotional and void of any kind of logic.”
He justified the talks by stating, “In order to resolve complex and difficult questions, including the Ukrainian issue, Russia and the United States must make the first step. And that first step must be devoted to raising the level of trust between our countries. And that is what we did in Riyadh.”
Trump’s ‘Rational’ Approach to Ukraine
Putin praised Donald Trump’s stance on the Ukraine war, arguing that the US President is taking a practical approach. “Unlike them, the new president of the United States has his hands free from shackles that don’t allow you to move forward,” he remarked.”He is moving in a straightforward manner and without particular constraints. He is in a unique position: he doesn’t just say what he thinks, he says what he wants. This is the privilege of the leader of one of the major powers,” Putin added.Trump’s shifting stance on Ukraine, including criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and suggestions that Kyiv may not regain all lost territory, has stirred debate in Washington and Europe.
Proposal for Military Spending Cuts
In a surprising turn, Putin suggested that Russia and the US could each slash military spending by 50%. “We could come to an agreement with the United States. We’re not against that,” he said.
“The idea seems like a good one to me. The United States reduces theirs by 50% and we reduce ours by 50%. And China could join us later if it wishes,” he proposed. The feasibility of such a plan remains uncertain, but it signals Russia’s willingness to discuss arms reductions.
Despite diplomatic manoeuvres, the conflict shows no signs of easing. Russian missiles keep raining down on Ukraine, and Kyiv remains firm in its defence. Meanwhile, the world watches as discussions unfold—behind closed doors and on the battlefield.
