Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark ultimatum to Ukraine, declaring he will only end military operations if Kyiv withdraws from territories Moscow claims as its own, otherwise threatening to seize them by force.
The Stumbling Blocks to Peace
During a visit to Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, Putin stated clearly: "If Ukrainian forces leave the territories they hold, then we will stop combat operations. If they don't, then we will achieve it by military means." This demand comes as Russia controls approximately one-fifth of Ukraine's territory, with the land issue representing one of the biggest obstacles in peace negotiations.
Another critical element in discussions involves Western security guarantees for Ukraine, which Kyiv insists are necessary to prevent future Russian invasions. The United States has renewed efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict, proposing a surprise peace plan that Washington hopes to finalize through upcoming talks with both Moscow and Kyiv.
Washington's Evolving Peace Proposal
The original American plan, drafted without consulting Ukraine's European allies, would have required Kyiv to withdraw from eastern Donetsk region while the US would de facto recognize Donetsk, Crimea, and Lugansk regions as Russian territory. However, following criticism from both Ukraine and European partners, the United States pared back this proposal over the weekend.
Although the revised version hasn't been publicly released, Putin confirmed he has seen the new draft and indicated it could serve as a starting point for negotiations. "Overall, we agree that it could form the basis for future agreements," the Russian leader commented about the shortened document, now thought to contain approximately 20 points.
US negotiator Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow next week to discuss the revised plan, while US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will visit Kyiv later this week, according to Ukraine's top presidential aide Andriy Yermak.
Military Reality on the Ground
The Russian military continues to make gradual but steady advances in eastern Ukraine, engaging in costly battles against outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainian forces. Putin claimed Thursday that Russian forces have encircled Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk and Myrnograd in the fiercely contested Donetsk region, though Ukraine denies these cities are surrounded.
According to data analyzed by AFP from the American Institute for the Study of War, Russian forces have conquered an average of 467 square kilometers each month in 2025, representing an escalation from their 2024 progress. Putin described the Russian offensive as "practically impossible to hold back," adding that "there is little that can be done about it."
In a concerning development for peace prospects, Putin also questioned President Volodymyr Zelensky's legitimacy, suggesting that signing any agreement with him would be legally "almost impossible" at present. This position has drawn strong reactions from Kyiv and its international allies.
Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering Europe's worst armed conflict since World War II. The war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and forced millions of people to flee their homes.
