Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated on Wednesday that he is not prepared to soften his demands for Ukraine to relinquish territory, even as US President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to broker a peace deal.
In a forceful speech at the annual meeting of Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Putin criticized Ukraine’s European supporters and warned that Moscow would seize territory by force if diplomatic talks collapse. His comments come amid heightened diplomatic activity by the United States and Europe aimed at bringing the war to an end.
“We would prefer to address the root causes of the conflict through diplomacy,” Putin said. “However, if the opposing side and its foreign backers refuse serious dialogue, Russia will secure the liberation of its historical lands through military means.” He was referring to Ukrainian regions Russia is demanding Kyiv hand over—one of the major obstacles in peace negotiations.
Territorial control and security guarantees for Ukraine remain the most divisive issues in the talks, highlighting deep disagreements among Ukraine, the US, Europe, and Russia.
Although Russia has illegally annexed parts of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, it does not fully control the area. Analysis by the Institute for the Study of War suggests that, at the current rate of advance, Russia would not capture the entire region until August 2027.
Earlier in the week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine will not recognize the temporarily occupied areas of Donbas as Russian, either legally or in practice. He also appeared to respond to Putin’s reference to “historical lands,” warning that such rhetoric could pose future threats to other European countries and called for strong safeguards against what he described as a dangerous mindset.
In his address, Putin contrasted the positions of global players involved in the conflict. While Trump has expressed confidence that a peace agreement is within reach, Ukraine’s European allies have remained more guarded, stressing the need for firm security guarantees for Kyiv.
Putin acknowledged ongoing discussions with the United States but suggested that meaningful peace talks with Europe would be challenging under current leadership, adding that cooperation might become possible as political dynamics on the continent evolve.
His remarks come ahead of a key summit in Brussels, where European leaders are expected to debate new funding strategies for Ukraine, including the possible use of frozen Russian assets or alternative borrowing options.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the urgency of the situation, telling the European Parliament that supporting Ukraine’s defense is central to Europe’s own security. She noted that the days ahead will be crucial in determining how Europe continues to finance Ukraine’s resistance against Russia.
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