Putin-Witkoff Meeting On Ukraine War Was 'Constructive' But Work Remains, Kremlin Says

The European Commission is advancing a plan to utilize frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine amid ongoing conflict, as President Ursula von der Leyen addresses the media following a commission meeting. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to Ukraine's efforts against Russia, despite the Kremlin's assertion that President Putin did not reject a U.S. peace plan but found certain aspects unacceptable.

Moscow is demanding that Kyiv accept its annexation of occupied territories as a condition for peace, following unproductive talks between Russian and U.S. envoys. The areas in question include strategic locations such as Sevastopol and Donetsk, highlighting the ongoing territorial disputes central to the conflict.

Francis Fukuyama, a prominent political scientist and author of 'The End of History and The Last Man', expressed his disappointment regarding the election of Donald Trump as U.S. President, labeling it as the most surprising and disappointing event in decades. Fukuyama criticized Trump for exhibiting authoritarian tendencies and for attempting to negotiate a controversial deal with Russia concerning Ukraine.

The European Commission has announced a proposal to fund Ukraine through a loan backed by frozen Russian assets, a move that has sparked significant debate within the EU. This initiative aims to address Ukraine's budget shortfall amid ongoing conflict, with an alternative option for an EU loan based on common borrowing introduced to appease concerns from Belgium, which holds a substantial portion of these assets.

Oil prices have risen as market traders express concerns over the low likelihood of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine in the near future. This sentiment reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding the conflict, which continues to impact global oil supply dynamics.

Pope Leo has emphasized the critical role of European nations, particularly Italy, in mediating peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, amidst stalled negotiations between Russia and the US. The pontiff's remarks come as tensions escalate, with Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing Europe of obstructing peace efforts.

U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff concluded their meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin without reaching a peace agreement regarding Ukraine. The discussions centered on a revised peace plan, but Russia's demands for territorial gains and military reductions, alongside its insistence on blocking Ukraine's NATO membership, posed significant obstacles to an agreement.

The U.S. and Russia engaged in extensive peace talks on Tuesday aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with both sides labeling the discussions as 'constructive.' However, no specific agreements were reached during the hours-long meeting.