Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted that Russia is prepared for a prolonged conflict with Ukraine, demanding territorial concessions from Kyiv. Speaking during a visit to Kirgizstan, Putin claimed that some factions wish to continue fighting “until the last Ukrainian dies,” and he indicated that Russia is ready to meet this challenge.
Putin’s address emphasized that Ukraine must surrender the territories currently under its control. “If Ukrainian forces leave the territories they hold, we will stop combat operations. If not, we will achieve this by military means,” he stated, underscoring the Kremlin’s uncompromising stance. The Russian leader dismissed the recent American peace proposal, which was crafted in consultation with Ukraine and its European allies, calling the Ukrainian leadership “illegitimate” and suggesting that signing any agreements with them would be “meaningless.”
This statement reflects Moscow’s refusal to back down from its maximalist demands, particularly the expectation that Ukraine cede the entire Donbas region, which is of significant strategic interest to Russia. Currently, Russia occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, and the status of these regions remains a critical point in ongoing peace negotiations.
In his remarks, Putin claimed that Russian troops have encircled Ukrainian forces in key areas such as Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in the Donetsk region, which he described as the most intense part of the frontline. He declared that “Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov are completely surrounded,” using Russian names for the cities. He also boasted about advancements in areas like Vovchansk and Siversk, as well as towards the logistics hub of Hulyaipole.
Putin further asserted that the Russian offensive is “practically impossible to stop,” adding that his forces are “moving faster in all directions on the battlefield.” Ukraine, however, has denied that Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad are encircled, maintaining that its troops continue to hold the line.
Despite these bold claims, Putin stated that he has no intention of attacking EU countries. Yet, he noted that European security guarantees for Ukraine remain unresolved. U.S. officials have been advocating for a ceasefire before discussions about security guarantees for Kyiv can begin.
European leaders are likely to leverage Putin’s refusal to sign a peace agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in their upcoming discussions with American partners. In multiple statements since the U.S. intensified efforts to end the conflict, European leaders have emphasized that any agreement must guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Putin has long demanded the removal of Zelensky from power, asserting that his mandate has expired. Kyiv has responded that elections cannot be held under wartime conditions while the country defends itself against invasion. He also claimed that Washington respects Russia’s position but mentioned that some issues still require consideration.
The latest peace plan, reportedly refined to exclude some of the most contentious points from the original 28-point proposal leaked last week, would require Kyiv to cede the Donbas region and drastically reduce its military. U.S. officials later clarified that this document was based on a proposal sent to the Trump administration in October.
Putin’s refusal to recognize Zelensky or Ukraine’s sovereignty, which are points in the most recent draft of the peace framework, indicates a reluctance to engage in further negotiations. Steve Biegun, a special envoy under former President Trump who led negotiations, has faced accusations of being overly favorable to Moscow, especially after a recording emerged of him advising a close Putin associate on how to praise Trump.
Biegun is expected to travel to Moscow next week for a meeting with Putin, with President Trump hinting that his son-in-law Jared Kushner might accompany him. In the meantime, U.S. President Joe Biden has sent his Secretary of the Army, Dan Driscoll, to discussions with Ukrainian negotiators.
Zelensky has requested a face-to-face meeting with President Trump to resolve key contentious issues, including security guarantees and possible territorial exchanges. However, Trump appears to prefer that his envoys refine the proposal further before meeting with any party.
Following Putin’s statements, Zelensky remarked that American and Ukrainian teams will “continue building on the results achieved in Geneva” during talks this week. The most recent peace plan, consisting of 19 points and developed in consultation with Ukraine, is reportedly more favorable to Kyiv. Officials in Europe believe it is robust enough to deter Putin from signing any agreement.
In a newly released “strategic document for national security,” Putin stated that all people in occupied parts of Ukraine are considered subjects of Russia, as part of extensive social plans for the next decade. The document emphasizes the “reunification of historical territories with Russia and the formation of new subjects of the Russian Federation,” indicating that at least 2.56 million individuals in occupied Ukraine must participate in “all-Russian events” in the next ten years.
Despite controlling only a fraction 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 those areas.
It criticizes “the efforts of hostile foreign states to destabilize interethnic and interfaith relations and create divisions within society.” To counter this, the document outlines the Kremlin’s ambitions to promote the Russian language and culture, restore “historical truth,” suppress Russophobia, and reassert “traditional Russian spiritual, moral, and cultural-historical values.”
Putin also instructed authorities to seek ways to portray Russia on the international stage as a democratic nation that “guarantees equality of human rights and freedoms.” However, the country ranked 150th out of 167 states in the Economist’s democracy index in 2024.
