Putin met with US emissaries: what the new threats to Europe mean.

According to ТСН: In Moscow, Vladimir Putin met with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on December 2. At the beginning of the negotiations, he made a public statement, warning Europe that in the event of a 'war against Russia' the Kremlin is ready to respond.

Political Scientist's Explanation

Political scientist and head of the Center for Analysis and Strategies Igor Chalenko noted that such statements from the Kremlin indicate a refusal of previous agreements made in Geneva and Florida. According to him, Putin needs to maximize the restoration of the 28 points of the 'peace plan' proposed by the United States.

'The Kremlin seeks to push Europe and Ukraine out of the peace process, leaving negotiations exclusively to the USA. In such a triangle of USA–Russia–China, he wants to gain approval for his territorial gains, including the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.'

— explained the political scientist.

Possible Consequences of the Negotiations

Chalenko also added that after the meeting Witkoff plans to have a conversation with President Zelensky to convey Moscow's position regarding the 'inadmissibility' of previous agreements.

There is a risk that the USA may simultaneously offer Putin to de facto recognize part of the occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea as Russian. However, it is still unclear whether this proposal will be discussed during the negotiations.

Perspective of the Negotiation Process

Negotiations with American representatives currently remain at the level of synchronization, and Ukraine's participation in future agreements cannot be ruled out. However, there is a risk that the Kremlin may try to make decisions without the involvement of Kyiv and the EU.

Chalenko also emphasized the importance of the American side refuting rumors about a possible blocking or delay in the supply of weapons to Ukraine, as this is critically important for maintaining trust within the framework of the PURL program.

Additional Information about the Negotiations

It should be noted that during the meeting, Witkoff and Kushner discussed the details of the American peace plan for Ukraine. According to Putin's assistant Yuri Ushakov, the American side provided four additional documents to the 27-point plan of the US president regarding the resolution of the war.

Ushakov noted that there is currently no single 'compromise version' of the plan, and Moscow evaluates the received proposals as heterogeneous: some are considered acceptable, while others are unacceptable for Russia.

These negotiations could prove decisive for the further development of relations between the USA, Russia, and Ukraine. Observers are closely watching how a possible change in the USA's position will affect the communication channel between Moscow and Kyiv, as well as the security situation in the region.