Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for facilitating talks between Russia and Ukraine, but warned that any foreign troops deployed in Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets by Moscow.
Putin asked U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to convey his gratitude to Trump during a meeting at the Kremlin, following trilateral talks between Russia, the U.S. and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, Russia's Interfax news agency reported, according to Reuters.
The Russian leader also praised progress on humanitarian issues while maintaining Moscow's firm stance on territorial and security matters.
Putin told Witkoff and Kushner he wanted to hear their assessment of the Abu Dhabi negotiations. He also welcomed progress on humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Ukraine.
Citing what he described as successful humanitarian cooperation in Oleshky, a town in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine's Kherson region, Putin proposed a similar mission in Kostiantynivka.
He claimed that between 400 and 500 civilians remained in Kostiantynivka and said Russia was offering to evacuate them.
Witkoff described the atmosphere at the Abu Dhabi talks as positive, saying Russian and Ukrainian negotiators had worked effectively.
He pointed to an upcoming prisoner exchange as evidence of progress towards a settlement. Kushner had earlier described the exchange agreed in Abu Dhabi as the largest since the war began.
Witkoff confirmed that European officials had not participated directly in the negotiations but had been kept informed of developments.
He also said he would brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the Kremlin meeting and expressed hope that a new round of trilateral talks, potentially involving European representatives, could be announced.
Kushner said Washington recognised a strong desire among European countries to participate in negotiations and help bring the war in Ukraine to an end.
Putin insisted that Moscow had never opposed dialogue with Europe and said he wanted Washington to engage with European leaders to clarify whether they sought “peace or war”.
Despite the diplomatic exchanges, Putin reiterated Moscow's uncompromising position on Ukraine's borders and the potential deployment of foreign forces.
He said Russia recognised only one demarcation line with Ukraine: the state border.
Putin also rejected the presence of foreign troops on Ukrainian territory, arguing that any such deployment would threaten Russia's national security.
He warned that foreign forces stationed in Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets for Russian attacks.
Nevertheless, Putin said he wanted any eventual peace agreement in Ukraine to deliver lasting peace.
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Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 11 November. Today, we cover Russia-Ukraine peace talks, political tensions in Washington, strikes in Spain, espionage allegations involving Nvidia's CEO, and climate negotiations at COP31 in Türkiye.
Four million workers across Spain joined a general strike on Wednesday over the country’s deepening housing crisis, unions said, bringing disruption to factories, ports, shops and public transport just weeks before a snap general election.
European leaders gathered in Dublin on Thursday, 12 November, for the ninth European Political Community (EPC) summit, with security, defence, energy cooperation and economic resilience topping the agenda. Azerbaijan’s role in regional peace and connectivity was also in focus.
Iran has unveiled a new underground missile and drone base, warning that it will respond forcefully to any attack, as tensions persist with the U.S. and oil tankers continue to be struck by naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
European leaders gathered in Dublin on Thursday, 12 November, for the ninth European Political Community (EPC) summit, with security, defence, energy cooperation and economic resilience topping the agenda. Azerbaijan’s role in regional peace and connectivity was also in focus.
Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang is stepping down amid reports linking him to a woman suspected by U.S. authorities of spying for China, throwing the future of the $4 trillion chipmaker into uncertainty.
Tajikistan is urging regional allies to step up support for its border with Afghanistan following a series of deadly armed incidents. Despite building more than 80 new border outposts, Dushanbe says it needs further assistance to secure its southern frontier.
Eight people have been killed and at least 17 injured after an apartment building collapsed into a neighbouring construction site in Brooklyn, New York, as rescuers continued searching the rubble for possible survivors.
The European Union is expected to approve a new round of sanctions against Russia on Monday, targeting 150 additional entities and 50 banks, French Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad said on Thursday.
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