Putin, US envoys discuss Ukraine talks as positions remain divided - CGTN

By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, November 12, 2026. /VCG

Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Kremlin's opposition to the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine when meeting with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on Thursday.

Witkoff expressed hope that the meeting would pave the way for a new round of multilateral talks involving European representatives.

Putin said the presence of any foreign troops on Ukrainian territory would be absolutely unacceptable to Russia, as it would threaten Russia's national security. He warned that such troops would be considered legitimate targets for Russian forces.

Putin said it was important to hear Witkoff's assessment of the recent trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi and the prospects for further Russia-Ukraine negotiations, particularly from a European perspective, given Witkoff's contacts with European representatives.

A two-day round of trilateral talks involving Russia, the US and Ukraine concluded on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The parties reached an agreement on a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war but remained deeply divided over key issues, including ending the conflict and territorial disputes.

On territorial issues, Putin said the Ukrainian side's proposal concerning so-called "gray zones" could lead to disputes and undermine any agreement.

He stressed that Russia would recognize only the state border as the line of demarcation with Ukraine, warning that discussions about "gray zones" could give rise to differing interpretations and disagreements.

The Russian president also proposed organizing a humanitarian mission to evacuate civilians from Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine, drawing on previous experience in Oleshky.

Putin added that Moscow has never opposed dialogue with Europe, but European countries have severed contacts with Russia. He expressed hope that Washington would work with European countries to promote peace, and stressed the need for a lasting settlement of the Ukraine conflict.

A Ukrainian soldier lays mine barriers near the frontline in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, November 12, 2026. /VCG

Witkoff said US President Donald Trump had asked him to convey the importance of ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible.

"The Europeans will join at the next meeting, which we consider to be a very important moment because they are our partners and it's important to us that they take part," Witkoff told Russian state TV after meeting Putin in the Kremlin.

Witkoff and fellow US presidential envoy Jared Kushner later flew to Ireland and met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said he was pleased at the prospect of further sets of talks and European participation in them.

However, signs of renewed tensions emerged. Zelenskyy said on Thursday that Ukraine would never recognize Russia's occupation of its territory, regardless of any decision made by the United States, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

"We must make it clear that we will never, under any circumstances, recognize Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territory," Zelenskyy told the plenary session of the European Political Community summit.

Zelenskyy also said new restrictions were affecting the US-made satellite communications systems used by Kyiv on the battlefield. He described the US approach of discussing a new European security order with Russia as "a bit strange."

Also on Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union was preparing its 22nd package of sanctions against Russia, along with a proposal to address Ukraine's financial needs in 2027.

Both proposals would be presented ahead of the next European Council meeting, she said.

"We will come with the sanctions package and the proposal for the financial needs before the next European Council," Von der Leyen said.

She also welcomed the recent peace talks in Abu Dhabi and stressed the importance of European representation in negotiations to safeguard the bloc's interests.