Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Russia is prepared for ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating that some demand the fight continue until the last Ukrainian soldier is lost. His remarks, made during a visit to Kyrgyzstan, emphasize Russia’s unwillingness to compromise on territorial claims, specifically regarding the Donbas region.
Putin claimed that the Russian military is “practically impossible to stop,” urging Ukraine to surrender the territories it currently holds. He stated, “If Ukrainian forces abandon the territories they occupy, we will cease military operations. If not, we will achieve this through military means.” Despite acknowledging the latest American peace proposal as a potential basis for future agreements, he dismissed the Ukrainian leadership as illegitimate, deeming it “meaningless” to negotiate with them.
This statement indicates that the Kremlin remains steadfast in its maximalist demands, which include full control over the Donbas region, a key area of contention. Currently, Russia occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, and the status of occupied versus unoccupied land continues to be a central issue in peace negotiations.
Putin reiterated claims that Russian forces have surrounded Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in the Donetsk region, which is among the fiercest frontlines. He asserted that these areas are “completely surrounded,” using the Russian names for the cities, and highlighted advances in Vovchansk and Siversk.
Contrary to Putin’s assertions, Ukraine has denied that Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad are encircled, maintaining that its forces hold the line. The Russian president also remarked that he has no intention of attacking EU nations but noted that European security guarantees for Ukraine remain unresolved.
U.S. officials have been advocating for a ceasefire ahead of discussions about security guarantees for Ukraine. European leaders are likely to leverage Putin’s refusal to sign a peace agreement with President Volodymyr Zelensky in their future talks with American partners. They have made it clear that any agreement must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Putin has long sought the removal of Zelensky from power, claiming his mandate has expired. In response, Kyiv has stated that elections cannot be conducted under martial law while the country defends itself against invasion. Putin asserted that Washington acknowledges Russia’s position but indicated that further considerations are necessary. Kyiv and its allies believe that Moscow lacks genuine intent for peace negotiations as long as it continues its advances on the battlefield.
The revised peace plan submitted to Moscow reportedly removed some contentious points from the original 28-point proposal leaked last week, including demands for Kyiv to cede Donbas and significantly reduce its military. U.S. officials later confirmed that the document was based on a Russian proposal sent to the Trump administration in October.
Putin’s refusal to recognize Zelensky or Ukrainian sovereignty, as outlined in the latest draft of the peace framework, suggests he is unlikely to agree to further discussions. Former Special Envoy to Donald Trump, Steve Biegun, who led negotiations, has faced accusations of being overly sympathetic to Moscow, a perception intensified by a leaked recording advising a close aide of Putin on how to praise Trump. Putin dismissed claims of Biegun’s bias as “nonsense.”
Biegun is expected to travel to Moscow next week for discussions with Putin, while Trump hinted that his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, may accompany him. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden has dispatched his Secretary of the Army, Dan Driskell, to engage with Ukrainian negotiators.
Zelensky has requested an in-person meeting with Trump to resolve key contentious issues, including security guarantees and potential territorial exchanges. However, Trump appears to prefer that his envoys refine the proposal before he meets with any party involved.
Following Putin’s statements, Zelensky indicated that American and Ukrainian teams would “continue to build upon the results achieved in Geneva” during talks this week. The latest 19-point peace plan, developed in agreement with Ukraine, is believed to be significantly more favorable to Kyiv, with European officials confident it could deter Putin from signing any agreement.
In a newly released “strategic national security document,” Putin stated that all individuals in occupied parts of Ukraine are considered subjects of Russia, as part of extensive societal plans for the next decade. The document emphasizes the “reunification of historical territories with Russia” and the creation of new subjects within the Russian Federation, projecting a need for at least 2.56 million people from occupied Ukraine to participate in “all-Russian events” over the next ten years.
Despite controlling only a portion of the territory it claims, Moscow announced the annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions in September 2022. This document, set to take effect in January, warns of security challenges arising from “the spread of anti-Russian propaganda and incitement of religious hatred” in these areas.
Criticizing “the efforts of hostile foreign states to destabilize interethnic and inter-religious relations and create divisions in society,” the document outlines the Kremlin’s ambitions to promote the Russian language and culture, restore “historical truths,” suppress Russophobia, and reestablish “traditional Russian spiritual, moral, and cultural-historical values.”
Putin also tasked authorities with finding ways to present Russia as a democratic nation that “guarantees equality of human rights and freedoms.” According to the Economist’s index of democracy, the country ranked 150th out of 167 nations in 2024.
