Putin says US plan could be ‘basis’ of a Ukraine deal but threatens to take land by force if Kyiv doesn’t withdraw
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the US plan to end the war in Ukraine “could form the basis of future agreements” but repeated his threat to seize more territory by force unless Kiev withdraws.
Speaking to reporters in the Central Asian Kyrgyz Republic’s Bishtek city on Thursday, Putin confirmed that the Kremlin expects a US delegation led by Special Representative Steve Witkoff to visit Moscow early next week, adding that the Kremlin was ready for “serious discussions”.
But the chances of rapid progress appear slim after Putin repeated his maximalist demands, saying the war in Ukraine would only end “with the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the territories they occupy.”
The Russian leader said, “If they do not withdraw, we will achieve this by military means.”
Russia occupies approximately 20% of the territory recognized under international law as part of sovereign Ukraine, including almost the entire Luhansk region and parts of the Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions.
Moscow demands the surrender of all four regions that Ukraine has annexed but not completely conquered.
Russia has made some gains on the eastern Ukrainian front in recent weeks; most importantly city of Pokrovsk.
Still, the Institute for the Study of War, a U.S.-based conflict monitor, said Thursday that data on the rate of advance of Russian forces showed “a Russian military victory in Ukraine is not inevitable and a rapid Russian takeover of the rest of Donetsk Oblast is not imminent.”
More importantly, the territory claimed by Russia includes the “fortress belt” of heavily defended towns and cities that are vital to Ukraine’s security. Kyiv and its European allies have made it clear that territorial concessions are a red line for them.
Putin’s remarks on Thursday were the strongest indication that Russia is not willing to follow the US’s lead civil servantsOthers, including Trump himself, have praised “tremendous progress” in efforts to end the war.
This came after Ukrainian and European officials strongly opposed and later revised it. 28-item peace plan Draft prepared by the United States with strong input from Russia.
The original plan reflected Russia’s extensive wish list and included a demand that Ukraine reduce the size of its military and be prevented from joining NATO.
Putin said he expected Thursday Witkoff He will probably come to Moscow early next week to discuss the new draft of the plan, the full text of which is not yet known.
Putin said he had been briefed on the latest discussions and that the plan “could form the basis of future agreements.”
“It would be rude for me to talk about final agreements right now,” Putin added.
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