Moscow has pushed back against European and Ukrainian changes to the United States' peace proposals, saying it is not helping to achieve peace.
The drafted proposals were confirmed earlier this month, after multiple visits between the Kremlin and White House, described as being “really, really close” to a successful peace plan after four years of war between Ukraine and Russia.
The meetings have continued as recently as last weekend, with President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, joining U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and more in Florida.
However, Ukraine and other European negotiators have pushed to add their own proposals to the plans, with concerns that Kyiv could be pushed into making heavy concessions.
In response, Russia has said that these changes will hinder progress towards peace.
“I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace," foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov was quoted as saying to the Russian press.
