Putin attempted to preemptively deflect blame onto Europe for Russia’s rejection of any peace plan iterations ahead of the December 2 US-Russian meeting. High ranking Kremlin officials repeatedly indicated in recent weeks that the Kremlin was not going to accept any peace agreement that did not meet Russia’s maximalist demands, including the US-proposed original 28-point peace plan. The Kremlin is likely setting conditions to blame Europe’s insertion of non-starters into any peace plan as the reason for Russia’s rejection, essentially using Europe as a scapegoat for Russia’s own obstruction of the peace process.

Putin threatened Europe to prevent Europe from engaging in the peace process. Kremlin threats against Europe likely aim to deter Europe’s involvement in the peace process as well as undermine the strengthening of Europe’s defenses out of fear of allegedly provoking Russian aggression.

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