Russian President Vladimir Putin made clear he would not compromise on core demands in the Ukraine conflict during a Kremlin meeting with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on Thursday.

Putin insisted Russia must retain full control over the four regions it claims to have annexed and rejected any foreign peacekeeping forces, describing such deployments as a "continuation of war." He also dismissed proposals for demilitarized or "gray" zones, stating that only the state border would serve as a clear line of demarcation.

The envoys arrived in Moscow after two days of discussions in Abu Dhabi aimed at advancing peace efforts. Putin offered a limited humanitarian ceasefire in the frontline city of Kostiantynivka to allow aid deliveries and evacuations, modeled on a prior initiative elsewhere.

U.S. officials reported that Putin agreed to include European representatives in the next round of talks. The Russian leader urged Washington to press its European allies to decide between pursuing peace or continuing the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had recently pointed to a potential window for progress before 2027, but Putin's stance appeared to reduce prospects for rapid concessions. Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine resumed earlier this week after a nine-month pause.

Kremlin officials described the session as useful and noted plans for further discussions, including with U.S. President Donald Trump at an upcoming APEC summit. The meeting was partially televised, highlighting Putin's firm positions on security guarantees and territorial issues.

Background on the conflict shows Russia has maintained consistent demands since 2022 regarding the annexed territories and opposition to NATO expansion elements. Western efforts have focused on security arrangements, though differences persist over troop deployments and borders.