Putin threatened Europe with going to war and promised further attacks against Ukrainian forces.

Putin raises tensions with Europe by warning that Russia is "ready for war" if the continent decides to escalate the conflict, a statement that comes on the eve of a new round of international negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

Although the Russian leader stated that Moscow has no intention of initiating a confrontation with the European Union, he blamed European leaders for "blocking" a possible agreement with the United States by rejecting Russia's main demands.

According to the Kremlin, those demands include that Ukraine cede territory and significantly reduce the size of its army, conditions that Moscow considers essential for any agreement.

European capitals, however, have categorically rejected these points, arguing that accepting such concessions would weaken Ukraine and put the continent's security at risk.

A central part of the dispute is the possibility of Ukraine's future accession to NATO: Russia wants to close it off completely, while Europe insists on keeping it as an open option. Putin described the European proposal as "absolutely unacceptable."

The Russian president's statements coincide with the arrival in Moscow of Steve Witkoff, special envoy of President Trump, and Jared Kushner, who lead the new U.S. mediation initiative.

Putin personally received Witkoff this Tuesday, accompanied only by an interpreter, to evaluate the peace plan backed by the White House. The meetings are taking place at a time when Washington is trying to regain diplomatic leadership in the conflict.

The U.S. effort comes after weeks of friction between Washington and its European allies. The revelation of Trump's initial plan, a 28-point document that, according to European sources, granted too many advantages to Moscow, caused concern in the EU, which replied by presenting an alternative proposal.

This counterproposal eliminates several concessions and demands that Ukraine maintain robust military capabilities. European officials argue that the country must become a kind of "steel porcupine," capable of deterring future Russian aggression.

Putin, meanwhile, has harshly criticized the European role, accusing the EU of interfering in the U.S.-led talks. "Europe is preventing the U.S. administration from achieving peace in Ukraine," the leader declared.

He also issued new threats against Ukrainian ports after recent attacks on the so-called "shadow fleet," the Russian fleet operating in the Black Sea to evade international sanctions.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue in the United States. A Ukrainian delegation met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to advance the framework of a revised 19-point plan.

After the meeting, Rubio admitted that "there's still a lot of work to do" before reaching a definitive solution to a conflict already considered the bloodiest in Europe since World War II.

With hardened positions in Moscow, warnings from Brussels, and mediation efforts from Washington, negotiations are entering a critical phase. The international community is closely watching a process whose outcome will define not only Ukraine's future, but also the balance of power in Europe for years to come.