Putin’s new ultimatum stokes WW3 fears | World | News
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to Ukraine, demanding the war-torn country withdraw its troops from the Donbas region in the country’s east, just days before a US delegation arrives in Moscow for critical peace talks aimed at ending the brutal conflict.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the Russian leader gave his uncompromising ultimatum: “Ukrainian troops will withdraw from the territories they occupy, and then the hostilities will end.”
According to the Kiev Independent, Putin added menacingly: “If they do not withdraw, we will achieve this with military force.”
Russia’s illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory
Moscow has illegally occupied the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhia oblasts in eastern Ukraine since September 2022, following fake referendums in the regions. Donbas, also known as the “Donets Coal Basin”, is a heavily industrialized region consisting of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
US delegation faces pressure over leaked call discussions
Putin confirmed that a US delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to the Russian capital early next week.
But Witkoff came under criticism following a leaked call in which he was reportedly caught coaching a Russian official on how to win by flattering President Trump during peace talks.
On Thursday, Putin claimed that those responsible for leaking the call between Witkoff and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov could face criminal charges, while also suggesting the leak may have been a hoax.
He accused those targeting Witkoff of trying to sabotage the talks and wanting to “fight to the last Ukrainian” just like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Recognition of Russian leadership is key in US talks
Putin emphasized that the recognition of Russia’s sovereignty over Ukraine’s southern peninsula, Donbas and Crimea, which it has occupied illegally since 2014, is a very important point in the talks with the United States. He also ruled out signing any further documents with Ukraine on the grounds that Zelensky’s government was illegitimate due to the postponement of elections amid ongoing conflict.
It is strictly forbidden to hold elections in Ukraine under the martial law declared at the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022. After the talks, Putin announced that the peace plan was divided into four parts, but did not provide further details. He added that the US peace plan still needs further discussion.
Trump’s 28-article peace plan is being rejected
The latest developments come on the heels of President Trump’s announcement last week of his 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, which included controversial conditions such as limiting the size of the Ukrainian army, banning NATO membership and Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donbas. A revised version of the plan was compiled in Switzerland on Sunday after encountering strong opposition from Ukrainian and European delegations.
As the world watches with bated breath, the fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance as the U.S. delegation prepares to begin high-stakes negotiations with the Russian regime, hoping to find a path to peace amid Putin’s relentless demands and the ever-present threat of military escalation.
