Putin is using Trump to stall for time in Ukraine, Estonia FM says

Key Points:

• Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna criticized U.S.-led peace negotiations, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of using them to buy time and increase pressure on Ukraine, while urging stronger support for Ukraine against Russia.
• Despite multiple meetings between Trump administration envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and Russian President Putin, no breakthrough has been achieved in peace talks, with Putin continuing to escalate attacks on Kyiv.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned increased Russian attacks on civilians and called for intensified pressure on Moscow amid ongoing conflict nearing its fifth year.
• Tsahkna also rebuked former President Trump for blaming Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure for global diesel price hikes, emphasizing that Putin initiated the war and holds responsibility for its continuation.
• Trump, campaigning for the 2024 presidential election, has repeatedly promised to end the war swiftly and is scheduled to meet Zelenskyy at the United Nations, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.