Putin warns Russia will target foreign troops deployed in Ukraine

Putin rejects foreign peacekeepers

The remarks came during a Moscow visit by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Two people familiar with the talks said the trip was partly intended to secure European participation in future negotiations.

Europe prepares for talks

Witkoff said European representatives would take part in the next round of talks. “They’re our partners, and it’s important for them to be involved,” he told reporters as he left Moscow.

Putin said a four-way dialogue would follow once Europe appointed a representative authorised to speak on its behalf. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas suggested she could represent the bloc alongside European Council president António Costa.

Kallas said existing European security agreements were in place, including the Helsinki accords and the Budapest memorandum. She argued that Russia should meet its obligations and said discussion of security architecture was a “distraction” without a ceasefire.

Leaders differ on representation

French president Emmanuel Macron played down the need for one European negotiator, saying “the content determines the format”. He referred to mediation led by Kushner and Witkoff, and said Europeans would ultimately decide their own security.

The diplomatic activity includes recent talks in Abu Dhabi. The Kremlin appears to have reframed negotiations over Ukraine as part of a wider discussion about European security.

Starlink disruptions raise concern

Zelenskyy accused Elon Musk’s Starlink service of harming Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian drone attacks after military officials reported new restrictions. Kyiv contacted Washington for an explanation, and Zelenskyy said the disruption appeared deliberate rather than a technical fault.

Restrictions the previous month had caused confusion over who ordered them. Musk and the Trump administration blamed each other before the service was partially restored.