Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will seek to expand its territorial gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies reject the Kremlin’s demands in ongoing peace talks. Speaking at an annual meeting with top military officers, Putin emphasized that Russia prefers to achieve its goals through diplomatic means, but will resort to military action if necessary.

The conflict in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has led to nearly four years of fighting. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a peace deal, but Washington is facing conflicting demands from both Moscow and Kyiv. Putin stated that Russia is ready to hold talks and resolve issues peacefully, but expressed skepticism about negotiating with European leaders, describing it as “unlikely” with the current political elites.

Putin claimed that the Russian army has gained strategic initiative along the front line and warned that Moscow would expand a “buffer security zone” along the Russian border. He also highlighted Russia’s growing military might, including the modernization of its atomic arsenal. These statements come after several rounds of talks between Ukrainian, American, and European officials on a US-drafted peace plan.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US envoys in Berlin, indicating that the document could be finalized within days and then presented to the Kremlin. Putin’s demands include recognition of Russian territory in four key regions, as well as Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. He also wants Ukraine to withdraw from certain areas in eastern Ukraine and abandon its bid to join NATO.

Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to drop Ukraine’s NATO bid if the US and other Western nations provide security guarantees similar to those offered to NATO members. However, he has rejected Moscow’s demands to pull back troops from areas that Russia has not captured. The situation remains complex, with both sides dug in on their positions. As the conflict continues, the international community is watching closely, awaiting the next steps in the peace talks and the potential consequences of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.