Thursday, December 18, 2025 - Russian President, Vladimir Putin signaled on Wednesday that he is unwilling to compromise on his demands for Ukraine to cede territory, despite President Donald Trump’s intensified push for a peace agreement.
Speaking in a combative address at the annual meeting of the
Russian Ministry of Defense, Putin lashed out at Ukraine’s European allies and
warned that Russia would take territory by force if diplomatic efforts fail.
His remarks came as US and European leaders continue urgent diplomatic efforts
aimed at ending the war.
“We would prefer to eliminate the root causes of the
conflict through diplomacy,” Putin said. “But if the opposing country and its
foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions, Russia will
achieve the liberation of its historical lands through military means.” He was
referring to Ukrainian regions Moscow is demanding Kyiv surrender, a central
sticking point in ongoing peace talks.
Territorial control and security guarantees for Ukraine
remain the most contentious issues in negotiations, exposing sharp differences
among Ukraine, the United States, Europe, and Russia.
Russia has illegally annexed parts of Ukraine’s eastern
Donbas region but has not fully conquered it. According to analysis by the
Institute for the Study of War, at the current pace of advance, Russia would
not seize the entire region until August 2027
Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
reiterated that Kyiv will not recognize the temporarily occupied areas of
Donbas as Russian, either legally or in practice
He also appeared to respond to Putin’s reference to
“historical lands,” warning that such claims could threaten other European
countries in the future. Zelensky called for strong protection against what he
described as a dangerous pattern in Russian thinking.
Putin, in his lengthy speech, contrasted the positions of
global powers involved in the conflict. While Trump has expressed optimism
about the chances of reaching a peace deal, saying the sides are closer than
ever, Ukraine’s European allies have remained more cautious, insisting on firm
security guarantees for Kyiv.
Putin acknowledged ongoing dialogue with the United States
but suggested that meaningful engagement with Europe on peace would be
difficult under the continent’s current leadership. He added that cooperation
may become possible in the future as political leadership in Europe changes.
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