The Russian President issued a strong warning to Europe on Tuesday, stating that Russia stands “ready” for military conflict should one arise.

Speaking at an investment conference in Moscow, Putin indicated he has no desire for warfare but cautioned that “if Europe suddenly wishes to wage a war with us and initiates it, we are prepared without delay.”

He further noted that any European move towards combat could lead to “a situation in which there won’t be anyone to negotiate with.”

The Russian leader also directed criticism at , who have voiced support for assisting Kyiv in achieving an honorable peace agreement. Accusing Europe of hindering the U.S.-led discussions, Putin asserted that they had presented demands “absolutely unacceptable” to Russia and had obstructed the “entire peace process.” He claimed that European governments possess “no peaceful agenda.”

Putin’s statements came as a U.S. delegation, led by President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, waited elsewhere in Moscow to discuss the specifics of a . Putin, known for making foreign leaders wait, arrived late in the evening for the meeting, which also included Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Following a brief exchange of pleasantries, cameras were removed from the room, and private discussions commenced.

This meeting follows the extensive leak of the on November 20. Zelensky and his European allies critiqued the initial draft, which proposed that Kyiv reduce its military and make substantial territorial concessions.

Ukrainian and U.S. officials convened last week in Geneva to review a refined version of the proposal, the details of which remain unreleased. These discussions were reinforced by a meeting in Florida over the weekend, where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led talks opposite Ukraine’s new negotiator Rustem Umerov, who serves as the country’s National Security and Defense Council secretary. (Umerov assumed the role from Andriy Yermak, who resigned as Zelensky’s chief of staff last week after his home was raided by two national anti-corruption agencies amidst a widespread corruption scandal.)

Rubio informed reporters after the meeting that while the session was “productive,” there was still “more work to be done.” He added, “Obviously, there’s another party involved [Russia] that will have to be a part of the equation,” having previously stated that both Russia and Ukraine “must agree to difficult but necessary concessions.”

European allies firmly oppose the notion of Ukraine making land concessions—a concept Zelensky has repeatedly dismissed. Many have cautioned that demanding Ukraine surrender territory would reward Russian aggression, noting that Moscow

“We shouldn’t lose focus that it’s actually Russia who has started this war, and Russia that is continuing this war,” Kaja Kallas, the E.U. high representative for foreign affairs and security policy,. Kallas expressed her concern that Ukraine might be pressured to halt the war by surrendering, a scenario she warns would have major repercussions and is “not in anybody’s interest.”

Putin’s remarks on Tuesday mirrored his recent declarations concerning the futility of a negotiated peace. During a trip to Kyrgyzstan last week, Putin stated that pursuing any form of peace deal was “pointless” as long as Zelensky remained in power. Celebrating Russia’s recent battlefield advancements, Putin asserted that “if Ukrainian forces leave the territories they hold then we will stop combat operations” but “if they don’t, then we will achieve it by military means.”

Putin’s willingness to persist in fighting despite mounting casualties, and his insistence that Ukraine withdraw from territory claimed by Moscow, stands in direct opposition to Zelensky’s vow never to cede land, leaving the two sides deadlocked.

There is scant evidence that Putin is ready to compromise. Trump previously mentioned that the Russian leader had “let [him] down” by refusing to alter his stance. The pair met in Alaska in August for a summit intended to explore a potential cease-fire. However, the meeting concluded earlier than planned, with no agreement reached. Critics argued that the meeting with more leverage than Trump.

In October, , demanding that “now is the time to stop killing.” Yet, the sanctions have done little to impede the Kremlin’s campaign. In fact, the Kremlin almost entirely dismissed the new levies, with Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson stating that Russia possesses a “strong immunity” to Western sanctions.

Zelensky continues to receive support from his European allies, but the issues of proposed land concessions and concerns regarding security guarantees for both Ukraine and Europe’s future remain unresolved.

For the time being, the Ukrainian President has indicated he is “waiting for signals from the American delegation after its meetings in Russia.”

In an , as the discussions in Moscow took place, Zelensky stated that the U.S. delegation is set to brief him “immediately” after the meetings conclude, and “the next steps will depend on those signals.”

“If the signals work out in a certain way—if it is fair play with our partners—then we may meet with the American delegation very quickly. At what level, we will see,” he remarked, adding that he is prepared for a meeting with Trump when the appropriate time arrives.