File photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Picture credit: PTI)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Moscow was ready if Europe initiated a conflict, even as he accused European governments of trying to derail efforts to end the war in Ukraine. “We are not planning to go to war with Europe, but if Europe wants to and starts, we are ready right now,” he said before meeting US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, as per news agency AFP.The talks in Moscow are part of Washington’s attempt to push forward a draft peace plan aimed at ending nearly four years of fighting. Witkoff was carrying a revised proposal after European governments and Ukraine objected to earlier terms that would hand territory to Russia and place limits on Kyiv’s military.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the discussion would continue “as long as needed” and involve only Witkoff, Kushner and a US interpreter.Putin repeated his accusation that Ukraine’s European allies were obstructing US-led diplomacy by adding “demands that are absolutely unacceptable to Russia”, insisting “they don’t have a peace agenda, they’re on the side of the war,” according to news agency AP. He also claimed that Russian forces had taken control of Pokrovsk and invited foreign reporters to visit, although Ukraine rejected the claim, calling his remarks “a propaganda stunt” and saying fighting was still ongoing.Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Ireland rallying European support. He said the US was taking “serious steps to end the war in one way or another” and stressed that any agreement must deliver a “decent peace” rather than a temporary pause. Ireland announced €125 million in additional aid during his visit, including non-lethal military support and funding for Ukraine’s energy sector.The diplomacy comes at a tense moment. Russian attacks have intensified, and Kyiv has been shaken by corruption scandals that led to the resignation of its top negotiator. A Ukrainian delegation may meet Witkoff and Kushner as early as Wednesday, potentially in Brussels, according to AFP. Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte said he remained “confident” that US efforts would eventually help restore peace in Europe.