Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Estonia sharply criticized Moscow on Wednesday after yet another round of U.S.-led peace discussions with Vladimir Putin failed to produce progress. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha urged the Kremlin to “stop wasting the world’s time,” while UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said Putin should “end the bluster and the bloodshed” and genuinely pursue peace. Estonia’s foreign minister Margus Tsahkna added it was “pretty obvious” Russia has no real interest in ending the war.
The condemnation followed a meeting between Putin and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow, which produced no breakthrough. Trump, speaking separately, said talks were “reasonably good” but admitted there was no clear path forward. The Kremlin said Putin accepted some ideas but insisted that “compromises have not yet been found.” Witkoff and Kushner are now scheduled to meet Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov in Florida.
Meanwhile, King Charles publicly backed Ukraine during a state engagement with Germany’s president, describing Russia’s assault as “aggression” and pledging continued unity against further threats. His comments were notable, given his previous influence on Trump’s thinking during earlier diplomatic tensions involving Ukraine.
On the battlefield, Ukraine reported a series of successful strikes, including attacks on an oil depot in Russia’s Tambov region, a Black Sea observation post and Orion drones stationed in occupied Crimea. Russian regions reported damage to multiple oil tanks after Tuesday’s strikes. Ukrainian forces also said they pushed Russian units back toward the northern edge of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, creating what they described as a “kill zone” that has prevented Russian troops from retaking the ground.
Despite Russian claims, independent analysts say Moscow has exaggerated progress near Pokrovsk. The Institute for the Study of War reported no evidence of full Russian control of the city and suggested any capture would not lead to rapid advances. Nearby Myrnohrad shows widespread destruction and encirclement based on drone footage.
European leaders continue debating how to keep Ukraine funded. The European Commission advanced a plan to provide Ukraine with a “reparations loan” backed by frozen Russian assets — while also proposing an EU borrowing mechanism to address concerns from Belgium, which hosts most of the frozen funds. President Ursula von der Leyen said both options would allow Ukraine to negotiate “from a position of strength.”
Globally, support for Ukraine is expanding. The UN General Assembly voted 91–12 demanding Russia return thousands of Ukrainian children taken since 2022. Australia and New Zealand will become the first non-NATO contributors to NATO’s prioritized Ukraine requirements fund, donating millions in equipment, munitions and drone technology. Australia also sanctioned 45 additional ships in Russia’s shadow oil fleet and expanded personal and financial sanctions to more than 1,100 individuals and nearly 300 entities.
As the war enters its 1,380th day with no political breakthrough in sight, Ukraine continues to rely on sustained international support — even as concerns grow that Trump may eventually disengage if negotiations continue to stall.
