Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukrainian troops must pull out of the remaining areas of the Donbas still held by Kyiv or face their capture by Russian forces, hardening Moscow’s stance as U.S.-led peace efforts continue.
Speaking to India’s India Today, ahead of a visit to New Delhi, Putin said Russia already controls most of the Donbas and will take the rest “by force” if Ukrainian forces do not withdraw. He portrayed Russia’s goal as the “liberation” of territory it claims as its own.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly rejected any territorial concessions, insisting that Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders must be fully restored and describing Russia’s annexations and occupations as illegal.
Revised U.S. Plan: No Deal Reached in Moscow
Putin’s remarks came after a U.S. delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner visited Moscow to present a revised peace framework.
An earlier version of the U.S. plan, according to diplomats, contemplated shifting Ukrainian‑held parts of Donbas into de facto Russian control as part of a ceasefire. That draft alarmed Kyiv and several European governments, who saw it as rewarding aggression. Ukrainian negotiators say they modified key elements during talks with U.S. officials in Geneva on 23 November.
After meeting the Russian side, Putin said he had not seen the latest text beforehand and insisted on reviewing it point by point. He signaled that Moscow could consider some proposals but rejected others, without naming them. The biggest unresolved issues remain the status of Russian‑occupied Ukrainian territory and long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said no breakthrough was reached and that Moscow is now awaiting a formal response from Washington. He added there are no current plans for a Putin–Trump call or a new Witkoff visit.
Kyiv and Europe Warn on Territorial Concessions
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, accused Russia of using diplomacy to buy time while continuing its offensive, saying Moscow is “wasting the world’s time.”
European unease over the U.S. initiative is also growing. German outlet Der Spiegel reported that, in a confidential call, several European leaders voiced concern that Washington could pressure Kyiv into ceding territory without firm security guarantees. The reported comments, including those from French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have not been independently verified; Paris has disputed the exact wording but not the thrust of the concerns.
The White House states that it is working toward a “durable, enforceable peace” and has held “productive” meetings with both sides but acknowledges that no final agreement is in sight. With Putin demanding withdrawal from Donbas and Zelensky refusing to trade land for peace, the gap between Moscow and Kyiv remains wide.
Battlefield Stalemate Narrows Room for Diplomacy
Analysts say Putin’s ultimatum is likely to further complicate diplomacy at a time when fighting on the ground shows little sign of easing. Russian troops have in recent weeks claimed gradual advances in eastern and southeastern Ukraine, while Kyiv remains dependent on extensive Western military and financial support to sustain its defence.
With Moscow now estimated to hold about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, any agreement that freezes current front lines would effectively confirm Russian control over large areas captured since 2014. For now, both governments appear committed to pursuing their objectives militarily, even as international mediators search for a formula that could end the conflict without legitimising territorial conquest.
