President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his conditions for ending the conflict in Ukraine, stating that Russia will only cease military operations if Ukrainian forces withdraw from territories claimed by Moscow. Historically, Putin has sought legal acknowledgment of regions that Russia has seized, including Crimea, annexed in 2014, and the Donbas, encompassing Luhansk and Donetsk, which are primarily under Russian control.
During a recent trip to Kyrgyzstan, Putin indicated that Russia retains the initiative on the battlefield and emphasized that hostilities will persist unless Ukrainian troops withdraw from the contested areas. He mentioned, “If they don’t withdraw, we’ll achieve this by force of arms.” His comments come amidst significant diplomatic efforts, including intense discussions between the U.S. and Ukraine on a peace plan initially drafted by American and Russian officials in October. Although this plan was revised, it reportedly still does not address the status of occupied territories or security guarantees for Ukraine, key issues for both Moscow and Kyiv.
Putin noted that the newly developed draft has been presented to Russia and could serve as a foundation for a potential agreement. He stressed the importance of discussing specific points in diplomatic language. When asked about recognizing Crimea and the Donbas as Russian de facto territories, he stated, “This is the point of our discussion with our American counterparts.”
Looking ahead, a U.S. delegation including special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow, while Ukraine’s presidential aide confirmed U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll’s impending visit to Kyiv. Earlier remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that only a few key disagreements remain between Russia and Ukraine, although he noted he would not meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky until these issues are resolved.
Putin has expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of Ukraine’s leadership under Zelensky, citing the country’s ongoing martial law since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. This context has led to debates over the legitimacy of Zelensky’s presidency. Furthermore, Putin dismissed concerns from European leaders regarding potential future threats to Europe, calling such warnings “laughable.”
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp84nl57v0lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss