Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his demands for Ukraine to withdraw its forces from Eastern Ukraine, asserting that Moscow has no intention of negotiating or slowing down its invasion. Speaking in Kyrgyzstan, Putin stated that Ukrainian troops must vacate occupied territories, or military action will continue. “If they don’t withdraw, we’ll achieve this through military force,” he declared.
Putin’s statements come amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as pressure from the United States and the European Union for a ceasefire and peace talks. He emphasized that Moscow seeks recognition of its claims over the occupied regions. “Signing documents with the Ukrainian leadership is pointless,” he added, insisting that discussions should only occur with the U.S.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for direct dialogue with Putin. In response, former U.S. President Donald Trump offered to facilitate a trilateral meeting, but the Kremlin declined to engage.
Continued Diplomatic Efforts
Despite Putin’s refusal to negotiate directly with Ukraine, Kyiv announced that its delegation will continue discussions with U.S. officials. The Ukrainian government aims to build on progress made during recent talks in Geneva. “It is crucial not to lose productivity and to work quickly,” stated the head of Zelenskyy’s office. “Our key shared goal remains unchanged: achieving a lasting and dignified peace for Ukraine as soon as possible.”
Next week, Steve Witkoff, a special envoy under Trump, is scheduled to visit Moscow. This follows reports from Bloomberg that he had previously advised Russian officials on formulating their demands and aligning them with Trump’s support. Earlier this week, discussions among U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian representatives took place in the United Arab Emirates, though European officials were notably absent from the negotiations.
Putin dismissed various elements of the proposals brought to the table and rejected assertions that Russia is preparing to launch an attack on European countries. He conveyed a willingness to formally assure that Russia has no aggressive plans towards Europe. “If this is hyped up by public opinion… we are ready to confirm this however you want,” he said, addressing Western fears.
Moscow has consistently denied intentions to invade Ukraine in both 2014 and 2022, yet the situation remains unresolved as diplomatic efforts continue. The international community watches closely as both sides navigate their positions in this complex geopolitical landscape.
