Russian head of state Vladimir Putin stated that a proposal originating from the United States concerning the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine might serve as a “foundation for forthcoming accords,” yet simultaneously reiterated threats to take additional land by force should Kyiv refuse to pull back its forces.
Addressing journalists in Bishtek, situated within the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, Putin confirmed that the Kremlin anticipates a diplomatic contingent from the US, spearheaded by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, to arrive in Moscow at the start of the subsequent week, noting that the Kremlin is prepared for “substantive dialogue.”
However, prospects for a prompt resolution appear remote, as Putin reaffirmed his ultimate demands, declaring that the conflict in Ukraine will conclude solely “upon the withdrawal of Ukrainian military units from the territories under their current control.”
“Should they decline to withdraw, we shall secure this outcome through military action,” the Russian leader asserted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that his representatives would also engage with US counterparts before the week concludes to deliberate upon the points outlined in Geneva. During his daily evening video broadcast, Zelensky further remarked that the coming week would feature “significant parleys not just for our delegation, but for me personally as well,” without divulging specifics.
Currently, Russia maintains control over approximately 20% of the land mass internationally recognized as part of sovereign Ukraine, encompassing nearly the entirety of the Luhansk region, alongside portions of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts.
Moscow insists that Ukraine relinquish all claims to these four regions, which Russia has formally annexed but has yet to fully subdue militarily.
In recent weeks, Russia has achieved some measure of advancement along the eastern Ukrainian front, most notably near the city of Pokrovsk.
Nevertheless, the Institute for the Study of War, an American-based entity monitoring the conflict, stated on Thursday that data concerning the pace of Russian forces’ forward movement suggests that “a Russian military triumph in Ukraine is not a foregone conclusion, nor is a swift Russian capture of the remainder of Donetsk Oblast at hand.”
Crucially, the territory Russia seeks encompasses the heavily fortified “fortress belt” of towns and cities considered essential to Ukraine’s security. Kyiv and its European partners have made explicit that yielding territory constitutes an absolute boundary for them.
Putin’s statements on Thursday offered the clearest indication yet that Russia is unwilling to compromise, especially after US officials, including Trump himself, had praised “considerable progress” in their efforts to terminate the conflict.
This followed strong opposition and subsequent amendments by Ukrainian and European authorities to a 28-point peace blueprint that had been formulated by the US, seemingly with considerable input from Russia.
The initial version of the proposal reflected an extensive checklist of Russian desires, incorporating a requirement for Ukraine to downsize its military and be prohibited from entering NATO.
Putin commented on Thursday that he expected Witkoff’s arrival in Moscow early next week, presumably to discuss the revised iteration of the plan, the precise wording of which remains unknown.
Putin conveyed that he had been briefed on the latest exchanges and that the plan possessed the potential to “form the basis for future agreements.”
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