Overview
- Russia welcomed the US National Security Strategy, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling it a positive step and noting Russia is no longer labeled a direct threat.
- European officials criticized the paper’s portrayal of Europe, as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Germany’s Johann Wadephul pushed back while stressing the US remains a key ally.
- Unconventional US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held multi-day talks with Ukrainian negotiators in Florida, and US media reported substantial progress on security guarantees.
- Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov said the US peace proposal must be radically changed, signaling Moscow’s demands remain far from the current draft.
- Despite diplomacy, Russia launched large air and drone strikes including on Kremenchuk, and Zelensky is set to meet Starmer, Merz and Macron in London on Monday to coordinate next steps.