Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia will stop its military offensive in Ukraine only if Ukrainian troops pull back from the areas Moscow says belong to Russia. His remarks come as the United States pushes to move forward with a peace plan aimed at ending the conflict.
During a visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin warned that if Kyiv does not withdraw, Russia will continue its military campaign and may intensify it, saying Moscow will “achieve its objectives by military means” if necessary.
Russia’s Conditions and Ukraine’s Firm Rejection
Putin has long demanded that Ukraine give up not only Crimea and the wider Donbas region—both partly occupied by Russian forces—but also additional territory not currently under Moscow’s control. After nearly ten years of fighting, Russia still has not taken full control of Donbas.
Most of Luhansk is occupied, but more than 10 percent of Donetsk remains under Ukrainian control. Analysts say Ukraine’s strong defensive positions, built over many years, have made further Russian advances extremely difficult. Ukraine has consistently rejected Putin’s conditions, arguing that giving up territory would put the country at even greater risk of future attacks.
U.S. Peace Initiative and the Revised Framework
A previous peace proposal prepared during former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration included a requirement for Ukraine to surrender territory, a point that drew strong opposition from European leaders.
After talks in Geneva, the United States and Ukraine agreed on a revised 19-point framework that leaves decisions on disputed territories to be negotiated between Ukraine and European partners. As part of its diplomatic outreach, President Trump is sending his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow for further discussions.
No Clear Path to a Ceasefire
Despite growing diplomatic efforts, the chances of a ceasefire remain uncertain. Russia’s demand for a troop withdrawal and Ukraine’s refusal to give up land have created a deadlock, making progress toward a negotiated pause in the fighting extremely difficult.
