On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is “prepared” for conflict should Europe pursue one, accusing the continent’s leaders of attempting to undermine negotiations regarding the Ukraine war prior to his meeting with U.S. representatives.

These remarks were made as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, were in Moscow for crucial discussions aimed at resolving the nearly four-year-long conflict, following several days of intensive diplomatic efforts.

“We don’t intend to engage in war with Europe, but if Europe wishes to initiate it, we are ready at this moment,” Putin told reporters in Moscow.

“They lack a peaceful agenda; they are choosing the path of war,” he continued, reiterating his assertion that European leaders are obstructing U.S. initiatives to facilitate peace in Ukraine.

He stated that modifications made by European officials to Trump’s recent proposal for ending the war were “solely intended to obstruct the entire peace process and impose demands that are completely unacceptable to Russia.”

Washington’s original 28-point proposal for resolving the conflict was subsequently revised after receiving backlash from Kyiv and European nations, who felt it favored many of Russia’s extreme demands.

The plan, backed by Trump, aims to bring an end to the war, but European nations express their concerns that it could force Kyiv to yield to Russian territory claims.

In light of ongoing fears of further Russian aggression, Europe has repeatedly asserted that an unjust peace should not be foisted upon Ukraine.

The Trump envoys are currently working to finalize the proposal, seeking consent from both Moscow and Kyiv.