Symbolic imagePutin holds firm on territory and troops as Europe gets a seat at next talks
US envoys Witkoff and Kushner met Putin in the Kremlin on Thursday, a day after the Abu Dhabi talks. Witkoff said a new round was agreed.
Putin refused to soften his territorial demands, insisting on full control of four Ukrainian regions Moscow claims to have annexed (The Guardian). He said there is only one line of demarcation, the state border, and that "gray zones" rule out lasting peace (Meduza). Any foreign troops sent to Ukraine after a deal would be legitimate targets and the war would resume, he said, according to TASS.
Kostiantynivka mission
Putin proposed a joint humanitarian operation in the Donetsk town, where he said 400-500 civilians remain, led by the ombudspersons Yana Lantratova and Dmytro Lubinets, with press invited. He said Russia controls the town and could clear mines within five days. The model is Oleshky in late October, when fighting paused for four days.
Europe at the table
Witkoff said Europeans will join the new meeting, for which no date was given. After meeting the envoys in Dublin, Zelensky said Europe would be part of the negotiating team; the New York Times notes Russia has not confirmed this. Putin said four-way talks would follow once Europe names a chief negotiator, while an EU official told The Guardian no such appointment is expected.
Other opinions
TASS reports only Putin's troop remarks, blaming European plans; Western outlets read his stance as dampening hopes of a deal.