Putin Rejects European Mediation in Ukraine Peace Talks, Cites Trump Deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the possibility of European countries acting as mediators in peace talks with Ukraine, citing their military support for Kyiv as a conflict of interest. During a press conference in St. Petersburg, Putin argued that the European Union and its member states cannot be neutral mediators due to their direct involvement in the conflict. Instead, he pointed to a peace framework previously agreed upon with President Trump as a more viable solution. Putin's stance comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts by Germany, France, and the UK to restart negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also called for direct talks with Putin, emphasizing the need for both European and U.S. involvement in any peace process. 
