President Vladimir Putin has renewed his firm conditions for ending the war in Ukraine, insisting that Russia will halt its offensive only if Ukrainian forces pull out of all territories claimed by Moscow.
His long-standing demand includes legal recognition of land Russia controls, such as Crimea—annexed in 2014—and the majority of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Kyiv maintains it will not surrender its territory, calling any concession to Russian aggression unacceptable.
Putin and Zelensky Respond to Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts
Following Putin’s remarks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia continued to “scorn” genuine efforts to end the conflict. During a visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin accused Kyiv of wanting to fight “to the last Ukrainian,” adding that Russia was prepared to continue military operations if necessary.
He reiterated that the war would only cease once Ukrainian troops withdrew from Donbas—comprising Luhansk and Donetsk. “If they don’t withdraw, we’ll achieve this by force,” he declared.
Despite Putin’s strong rhetoric, Russia’s slow advances in the east have come at a high human cost. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War estimate that, at the current pace, Moscow would need nearly two more years to fully capture Donetsk.
New Peace Draft Under Discussion
Putin’s comments mark the first time he addressed last week’s intense diplomatic efforts, during which U.S. and Ukrainian officials reportedly revised a peace plan initially drafted in October with significant concessions toward Russia’s position.
Although adjustments were made during talks in Geneva, the proposal still does not resolve the core dispute over occupied territories or long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Putin said the latest draft had been presented to Russia and could serve as a “basis” for negotiation, but emphasized that several points still require careful diplomatic phrasing.
He also acknowledged discussions with U.S. officials over potential recognition of Crimea and Donbas as under Russian control—de facto but not necessarily de jure.
Heading 4 — Upcoming U.S. Delegation Visit and Political Tensions
An American delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow next week, possibly accompanied by Jared Kushner. Trump said that only “a few remaining disagreements” stand between Russia and Ukraine.
Zelensky confirmed that U.S. and Ukrainian teams would meet to turn the Geneva points into a framework for peace and security guarantees. Ukrainian officials also expect U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to visit Kyiv soon.
Putin again dismissed Ukraine’s leadership as “illegitimate,” claiming there was “no point” in signing agreements with them. Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, preventing scheduled elections. Its parliament unanimously affirmed Zelensky’s legitimacy earlier this year.
Europe’s Reaction and Ongoing Concerns
Putin brushed off European warnings that Russia could threaten the continent within decades, calling the idea “laughable.” European leaders, however, remain skeptical. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accused Moscow of maintaining a post-World War II “sphere of influence” mentality and attempting to redraw borders by force.
As U.S. and Russian envoys prepare for discussions in Moscow, doubts persist about whether Putin truly intends to end the conflict—or simply solidify Russia’s territorial gains.