Ukraine, EU Allies to Hold Fresh US Talks on Russia War Amid Putin's Defiance

• Ukraine and European allies will hold new talks with US officials in the United States on Friday regarding the war with Russia.
• Top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov announced the consultations, involving Lieutenant General Andriy Gnatov and European partners.
• Russia's Vladimir Putin stated the "ball was in the court" of the West and Kyiv for peace talks, while boasting of battlefield gains.
• Putin denied personal responsibility for war deaths, claiming Moscow "did not start this war" and agreed to "some compromises."
• A US-led proposal, seen as addressing Moscow's demands for conflict resolution, is being refined by the US, Ukraine, and Europeans.

Why It Matters: Ukraine and European allies are engaging in new US-led talks amidst Putin's defiant stance on the war.