Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated that Ukrainian forces must withdraw from the eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it by force. Speaking to India Today, he said: “Either we liberate these territories by force, or Ukrainian troops will leave these territories.” Russia currently controls about 85% of the Donbas, a region central to the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly rejected any deal that involves giving up territory.

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Comments Follow New US-Led Peace Efforts

Putin’s statement comes after former US President Donald Trump said that his negotiators believe Russia is interested in ending the war. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian leaders in Moscow and is expected to meet Ukraine’s team in Florida next.

Trump described the Moscow talks as “reasonably good,” but stressed that peace efforts remain uncertain because “it takes two to tango.”

The original version of the US peace plan reportedly suggested handing over Ukrainian-controlled parts of Donbas to Russia’s de facto control. However, Witkoff’s team presented a modified proposal during their Moscow visit.

Putin Says Russia Disagrees With Parts of US Peace Plan

Putin said he had not seen the revised plan before meeting Witkoff and Trump adviser Jared Kushner. During the talks, the Russian side reviewed each proposal point-by-point.

“Sometimes we said yes, we can discuss this, but to that we can’t agree,” Putin explained. He did not specify which points were unacceptable.

Key unresolved issues include:

• The future status of Ukrainian territories seized by Russia
• Security guarantees for Ukraine

According to senior adviser Yuri Ushakov, the meeting produced “no compromise” and Russia’s position has hardened due to what Moscow claims are recent battlefield gains.

Ukraine Accuses Russia of Stalling for Time

Ukrainian officials say Moscow is refusing meaningful negotiations and using peace talks to buy time for further territorial advances. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybhia said Putin was “wasting the world’s time.”

President Zelensky stated that while there is global momentum for peace, negotiations must be backed by strong pressure on Russia.

Earlier talks in Geneva resulted in changes to the original US proposal, which Kyiv said had initially favored Moscow. US and Ukrainian negotiators announced they had drafted an “updated and refined peace framework,” without revealing specifics.

European Leaders Fear US May Sacrifice Ukrainian Territory

A report by Germany’s Der Spiegel claims European leaders privately expressed concern about the US-led talks. According to the alleged transcript:

• French President Emmanuel Macron warned the US might “betray Ukraine” on territorial issues.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told Zelensky to remain “extremely careful.”
• Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Europe must not leave Ukraine “alone with these guys.”

The BBC has not verified the transcript. The Élysée Palace denied Macron used the quoted wording but did not comment on the substance of his remarks.

White House Defends Its Peace Negotiations

In a statement to the BBC, the White House said its team—including Secretary Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner—is working “tirelessly” to achieve a durable peace. The administration says it is gathering feedback from both sides.

Russia Continues to Advance on the Battlefield

Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine. Recent weeks have seen slow but steady Russian gains in southeastern Ukraine amid reports of heavy casualties.

Conclusion

Putin’s latest ultimatum to Ukraine underscores the widening gap between Moscow and Kyiv’s positions as international negotiators attempt to forge a peace plan. With Russia insisting on territorial demands and Ukraine refusing to cede land, the path to ending the war remains deeply uncertain. Meanwhile, tensions are rising among global allies, who fear diplomatic pressure may force Ukraine into an unfavorable deal. As battlefield dynamics shift and negotiations continue, the future of the Donbas—and the wider conflict—hangs in the balance.