Ukraine: Putin remains inflexible in demands to end the war

Russian President Vladimir Putin remains firm on his maximalist demands to end the war in Ukraine during a meeting with U.S. envoys. Putin met with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for over two hours, following trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi. The discussions focused on European security, with Moscow opposing European involvement in negotiations. Ukraine and its allies reject any redistribution of influence among the U.S., Russia, and China, aiming to end the nearly five-year conflict. Zelensky mentioned a potential ceasefire opportunity before 2027, but Putin reiterated Russia's territorial claims and rejected foreign troop mobilization in Ukraine. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties and devastation in Ukraine.