President Vladimir Putin has doubled down on his core demands for ending the war in Ukraine, stating that Russia will only lay down arms if Kyiv's forces withdraw from territories claimed by Moscow. This statement comes as tensions rise with upcoming talks between the US and Russia, where peace negotiations over Ukraine's future are in focus.
Putin has long sought legal recognition of Ukrainian territories that Russia has seized, notably Crimea—annexed in 2014—and the eastern Donbas region, which is largely occupied by Moscow. Conversely, Kyiv categorically rejects the idea of conceding any part of the Donbas it still controls.
Following Putin's remarks, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia for undermining efforts to genuinely resolve the conflict. During a trip to Kyrgyzstan, Putin accused Ukraine of wanting to continue the war 'to the last Ukrainian,' a claim he said Russia is also prepared to accept.
Putin asserted that Russian forces hold the initiative in ongoing battles, vowing military action would persist until Ukrainian troops withdraw from Donbas, which encompasses Luhansk and Donetsk regions. He emphasized, 'If they don't withdraw, we'll achieve this by force of arms.'
Despite Putin's confidence on the battlefield, the slow advance in eastern Ukraine has resulted in considerable losses. Analysis suggests it might take Russia an additional two years to capture the rest of the Donetsk region at the current pace.
Recent diplomatic discussions have centered around a proposed peace plan that allegedly favors Moscow's positions, yet it does not adequately address territory occupation—one of the primary disputes between the two nations. Putin indicated that adjustments to the plan would be necessary to facilitate a viable agreement.
As the US prepares its delegation for Moscow, Zelensky is hopeful about translating recent agreements from Geneva into a structured peace path. Meanwhile, the skepticism among European leaders regarding the authenticity of Putin's intentions continues to grow.
Putin's dismissive responses to concerns about potential Russian expansion into Europe highlight the complex dynamics at play as the war rages on. Given the current state of affairs, all eyes are on the imminent talks in Moscow, as the fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance.
