Putin Insists on Ukrainian Territory Demands as US Talks Approach

Fri Nov 28 2025 01:08:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

With impending talks in Moscow, President Putin firmly reiterates Russia's demands regarding occupied Ukrainian territories, signaling a stalemate in diplomatic efforts.

In a recent statement, President Vladimir Putin has reinforced Russia's conditions for concluding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, insisting that Russian recognition of Ukrainian territories will only come with the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces. As diplomatic discussions with a US delegation loom, this position raises substantial challenges for potential peace negotiations, emphasizing the severe divide between Moscow and Kyiv on territorial integrity and security guarantees.

President Vladimir Putin has doubled down on his core demands for ending the war in Ukraine, stating that Russia will lay down arms only if Kyiv's troops withdraw from territory claimed by Moscow.

Putin has long pushed for legal recognition of the Ukrainian territories Russia has seized by force—most notably the Crimean Peninsula, which it annexed in 2014, and the Donbas region, comprising Luhansk and Donetsk, where Russian forces maintain control.

Kyiv has made it clear that relinquishing any part of Donbas is unacceptable, as it would amount to rewarding aggression. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin reiterated that Moscow feels it has the initiative on the battlefield, warning that military operations would continue until Ukrainian troops withdraw.

If they don't withdraw, we'll achieve this by force of arms, he asserted.

Putin's remarks come in the wake of heightened diplomatic activity, including US discussions with Ukraine about a proposed peace plan that is perceived to heavily favor Russian interests. He indicated that while a revised version of the draft has now been shown to Russia and may serve as a potential foundation for future negotiations, significant diplomatic language remains crucial.

On the topic of Crimea and Donbas, Putin hinted that discussions regarding their de facto recognition as Russian territories are on the agenda with US officials, anticipating a delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow soon.

In contrast, Ukrainian officials, including presidential aide Andriy Yermak, highlighted ongoing military cooperation with the United States, indicating potential visits and discussions in Kyiv.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump stated that only a few points of contention remain between Russia and Ukraine, yet he would not meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky until these differences are resolved.

Putin has previously dismissed Ukraine's leadership as illegitimate and expressed skepticism about European warnings regarding future Russian military intentions toward the continent, labeling such concerns as 'laughable.'