Putin rejects Western troops in Ukraine, proposes limited ceasefire to US envoys

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on Thursday, conveying opposition to Western troops in Ukraine and proposing a limited humanitarian ceasefire. Putin reportedly said foreign forces in any future peace mission would be seen as "legitimate targets," rejecting a key Ukrainian demand. He also refused to compromise on Russian territorial claims and proposed evacuating civilians from Kostiantynivka near the Donetsk front line, similar to a recent truce in occupied Oleshky. The US envoys urged Putin to allow European participation in peace talks, according to AFP. The visit aimed to brief Putin on this week's negotiations in Abu Dhabi, with the envoys expected to travel to Ireland to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.