US informs Europe that talks with Putin have reached an impasse — Financial Times

White House officials who have met with representatives of the Kremlin at least six times over the past two months have returned from negotiations empty-handed, and this is beginning to worry them. This was reported by the Financial Times (FT) newspaper with reference to European and Ukrainian officials.

According to sources, US President Donald Trump is ready to give up the role of mediator in resolving the Ukrainian crisis and uses even minor progress in the negotiations as an excuse to declare that the job is done.

"Trump is ready to take advantage of any breakthrough this week, which marks his first 100 days in power, even if he does not contribute to a long—term solution," the article says, a fragment of which is quoted by the DW* Main telegram channel.

Washington has prepared a generous package of proposals for the Kremlin, including the lifting of sanctions, joint business projects and even the recognition of Crimea, but Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to insist on maximalist demands, including the "denazification" of Ukraine, FT sources said. In particular, the Russian leader refused to agree that Ukraine should retain a defense-capable army, despite the fact that this item was approved by the United States.

As reported by EADaily, Russian President Vladimir Putin insists that Russia should take control of all four regions (DNR, LNR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, which became part of Russia after the referendums in 2022. — EADaily), which it does not fully control, as part of any agreement to end the conflict. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing three knowledgeable sources in Moscow.

*An organization performing the functions of a foreign agent