Russia ready to fight until last Ukrainian dies
Vladimir Putin declared that Russia is ready to fight “until the last Ukrainian dies.”
In remarks echoed throughout Europe and the United States, the Russian President insisted that Ukraine must surrender territory and claimed that his army’s “withdrawal is almost impossible.”
During his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin said, “Some demand to continue fighting until the last Ukrainian dies, Russia is ready for this.”
“If Ukrainian forces abandon the territory they hold, we will stop combat operations. Otherwise, we will achieve this by military means.”
he said this USA’s last peace offerDeals negotiated with Ukraine and its European allies could form “the basis of future agreements”, but he later dismissed Ukraine’s leadership as illegitimate and said it was “pointless” to sign anything with them.
His words show the Kremlin is reluctant to leave maximalist demandsThese include Putin’s most desired reward: Kiev’s relinquishment of the entire Donbas region.
Observers said Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to sign a Russia-friendly peace deal encouraged the Kremlin leader to continue the war.
Russia controls about a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, and the issue of occupied and unoccupied territories remains the main obstacle to peace talks.
Putin repeated his claim that Russian soldiers were present Surrounded Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk and Myrnograd in Donetsk, the fiercest part of the front, saying “Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov are completely surrounded”, using the Russian names of the cities. He also boasted about advancing towards Vovchansk, Siversk and the logistics hub Huliaipole.
Putin made remarks during his trip to Kyrgyzstan – Alexey NIKOLSKY / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
“It is almost impossible to stop Russia’s offensive, so there is little that can be done about it,” Putin said, adding that his forces were “moving faster in all directions on the battlefield.” Ukraine denies that Pokrovsk and Myrnograd are surrounded and says its soldiers continue to hold the line.
Putin said he did not intend to attack EU countries, but that European security guarantees for Ukraine remained unresolved. American officials are pressing for a ceasefire to be implemented before talks with Kiev on security guarantees.
European officials will likely jump on Putin’s refusal to sign a peace deal with Zelensky in their talks with their American counterparts.
Ukrainian armed forces guard the frontline town of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk – REUTERS/Stringer
In various statements since US efforts to end the war have stepped up, European leaders have made clear that any agreement must guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Putin has frequently demanded that Zelensky be removed from power because his elected term has expired. Kiev says elections cannot be held under martial law while protecting the country from invasion.
Putin said Washington took Russia’s position into consideration, but some things still needed to be discussed. Kyiv and its allies argue that Moscow is not willing to negotiate while advancing militarily.
The modified peace plan submitted to Moscow is believed to have eliminated some of the most contentious points in the region. original 28-point peace plan Information leaked last week, including provisions that would require Kiev to give up Donbas and sharply reduce its army. US officials later said the document was based on a Russian document presented to the Trump administration in October.
Putin’s refusal to recognize Zelensky or Ukraine’s sovereignty in the latest peace framework draft suggests he is unlikely to engage in further negotiations.
Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy who is leading the negotiations, has long been accused of being overly sympathetic to Moscow, and criticism has intensified over a leaked phone call of his. He coached one of Putin’s top aides On how to flatter Mr. Trump. Putin rejected allegations that Witkoff was biased, calling them “nonsense”.
Steve Witkoff expected to go to Moscow next week to meet Putin – Daniel Torok
Mr. Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow next week to meet Putin; Mr. Trump has signaled that his son-in-law Jared Kushner may join him. Meanwhile, the US president sent his army secretary, Dan Driscoll, to meet with Ukrainian negotiators.
Mr. Zelensky has requested to meet in person with Mr. Trump to address key sticking points, including security guarantees and possible land swaps. But Mr. Trump appears intent on letting his envoys refine the proposal before meeting with both sides.
Following Putin’s remarks, Mr Zelensky said the US and Ukrainian teams would “continue to build on the results achieved in Geneva” in subsequent talks this week.
It is believed that the latest 19-article peace plan prepared by agreement with Ukraine will be much more favorable to Kiev. European officials believe this is enough to deter Putin from signing the agreement.
