Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has sent a chilling threat to Europe just moments after Volodymyr Zelensky voiced his support for a deal ending Moscow's illegal invasion of Ukraine.
President Putin, who blasted Europe's proposed peace deal as "unacceptable to Russia", this afternoon insisted continental leaders hindered Donald Trump's negotiations.
In a major threat to the West, the Russian leader revealed he does not want a conflict with Europe but remains prepared for conflict.
He said: “We are not planning to go to war with Europe, but if Europe wants to and starts, we are ready right now."
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The explosive comment came at the plenary session of the VTB Russia Calling Investment forum in Moscow.
President Putin is expected to meet Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the US President's son-in-law Jared Kushner later today.
Mr Witkoff landed in Moscow earlier today to negotiate terms of a possible peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
US negotiators appear to have made significant progress with officials in Kyiv since unveiling Mr Trump's 28-point peace plan last month.
President Putin is expected to meet Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the US President's son-in-law Jared Kushner later today
|REUTERS
Speaking in Dublin earlier today, Mr Zelensky appeared to confirm Ukraine has agreed to a US peace deal.
He said: "Now, more than ever, there is a chance to end this war."
The Ukrainian leader revealed the latest peace plan includes 20 points, rather than the 28 originally proposed.
Mr Zelensky added: "Some things still need to be worked out."
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Volodymyr Zelensky shook hands with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin as Kyiv was handed an additional €100million in non-lethal aid
|REUTERS
The Ukrainian leader visited Dublin as part of a one-day visit.
Mr Zelensky began the Dublin trip with a courtesy call to Ireland’s newly inaugurated president, Catherine Connolly.
He shook hands with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin as Kyiv was handed an additional €100million in non-lethal aid.
Despite President Putin turning his fury towards Europe, the Russian leader has also claimed to have captured the key Ukrainian fortress city of Pokrovsk.
A resident walks near an apartment building damaged during a Russian drone strike, which happened late evening on Monday, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine
|REUTERS
He said: "I would like to thank you for the results of the operations in Pokrovsk – both you, the entire command and personnel of the group, and, of course, the fighters, our guys who are carrying out these combat missions."
Footage released by Moscow, which has been verified by CNN, depicts Russian soldiers raising the white, blue and red flag in Pokrovsk's central district.
However, Ukrainian military chiefs claimed it was holding out a Russian onslaught in the northern part of Pokrovsk.
Kyiv also said it was periodically attacking Russian troops in the south of the city.
Vladimir Putin has been mocked by Nato over the submarine's progress | REUTERS"With its statement about the capture of Pokrovsk, the enemy, not for the first time, is trying to sell its desires for reality," Ukraine's 7th Rapid Response Corps of airborne assault troops said.
Meanwhile, Zelensky claimed Moscow had launched "new disinformation campaigns".
Russian forces control more than 19 per cent of Ukraine, up just one point from two years ago.
Russia, which uses the Soviet-era name of Krasnoarmeysk to refer to Pokrovsk, has faced fierce Ukrainian resistance in its battle since mid-2024.
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