Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow will seek to expand its territorial gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies reject the Kremlin’s demands during ongoing peace talks. Speaking at an annual meeting with top military officers, he stressed that Russia prefers to achieve its goals diplomatically but will resort to military action if necessary.
The conflict, which began with Russia’s full‑scale invasion in February 2022, has now lasted nearly four years. While U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing for a peace deal, Washington faces conflicting demands from both Moscow and Kyiv. Putin said Russia is ready to hold talks and resolve issues peacefully, but expressed skepticism about negotiating with European leaders, calling it “unlikely” with the current political elites.
According to Putin, the Russian army has gained strategic initiative along the front line and will 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 follow several rounds of talks among Ukrainian, American, and European officials on a U.S.–drafted peace plan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. 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 control over 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 said he would drop Ukraine’s NATO bid if the United States and other Western nations provide security guarantees comparable to those offered to NATO members, but he has rejected Moscow’s demand to pull back troops from areas not yet captured by Russia.
The situation remains complex, with both sides entrenched in their positions. As the conflict continues, the international community watches closely, awaiting the next steps in the peace talks and the potential consequences of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
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