Russian President Vladimir Putin has reinforced his long-standing demands for ending the Ukraine war, insisting that Russia will only stop fighting if Ukrainian forces withdraw from all territories claimed by Moscow. These areas include Crimea—illegally annexed in 2014—and large parts of the Donbas region, where Russia continues its slow and costly advance.
Speaking during a visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin accused Kyiv of being ready to “fight to the last Ukrainian,” adding that Russia was similarly prepared to continue the conflict until its objectives are met. He claimed Russia maintains the battlefield initiative and warned that if Ukraine refuses to withdraw, Moscow would “achieve this by force.”
Despite Russia’s incremental gains, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War estimate it could take nearly two years for Moscow to capture the remaining territory in Donetsk alone.
The remarks mark Putin’s first public reaction to a recent flurry of diplomatic activity involving US-Ukraine discussions over a potential peace plan originally drafted in October by American and Russian officials. Although the initial draft heavily favored Russian demands, revisions are underway, and Putin confirmed Moscow has reviewed the new version. He said it could serve as a foundation for negotiations, but emphasized that several points still require refined diplomatic wording.
When questioned about a compromise that recognizes Crimea and the Donbas as under Russian “de facto” control but not legally, Putin said this issue remains at the center of Russia’s dialogue with Washington. A US delegation—led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and possibly joined by Jared Kushner—is due in Moscow next week. Meanwhile, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected in Kyiv for further discussions.
President Trump has suggested that only a few disagreements remain between Ukraine and Russia, hinting that a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would happen only after a deal is finalized.
Putin, however, repeated his view that Ukraine’s leadership is illegitimate due to the country’s martial law status and suspended elections. Ukraine’s parliament unanimously reaffirmed Zelensky’s legitimacy earlier this year.
He also brushed off European warnings that Russia could eventually threaten the rest of the continent, calling such statements “laughable.”
While the White House and President Trump have expressed optimism about the peace efforts, European leaders remain wary. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accused Moscow of clinging to a post-World War II “sphere of influence” mentality that threatens Europe’s sovereignty and stability.
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