Vladimir Putin says Russia will only stop fighting if Ukraine withdraws from occupied territories, as US pushes revised peace plan amid ongoing battles.
BISHKEK: Russian President Vladimir Putin declared his military would continue its Ukraine offensive unless Kyiv withdraws from territories Moscow claims.
“If Ukrainian forces leave the territories they hold, then we will stop combat operations,” Putin said during a visit to Kyrgyzstan.
“If they don’t, then we will achieve it by military means.”
Russia controls approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory after nearly four years of conflict.
The occupied land issue represents a major obstacle to peace negotiations that Washington is attempting to revive through upcoming talks.
Putin acknowledged reviewing a revised US peace plan that he said could form a basis for future agreements.
The United States pared back its original proposal following criticism from Kyiv and European allies.
“We agree that it could form the basis for future agreements,” Putin said of the latest draft.
However, Russia continues to seek international recognition of the occupied territories.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s top aide strongly rejected any territorial concessions.
“As long as Zelensky is president, no one should count on us giving up territory,” Andriy Yermak told The Atlantic.
“He will not sign away territory.”
Yermak stated the only realistic current discussion involves defining the 1,100-kilometre front line.
Putin repeated claims that Russian forces have encircled Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk and Myrnograd in the Donetsk region.
The Russian offensive “is practically impossible to hold back, so there is little that can be done about it,” Putin asserted.
Ukraine denies its forces are encircled and maintains defensive positions along the front.
Putin also questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy, suggesting signing agreements with him would be legally challenging.
According to Institute for the Study of War data analysed by AFP, Russian forces have gained an average of 467 square kilometres monthly in 2025.
US negotiator Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow next week to discuss the revised peace document.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will visit Kyiv later this week for separate discussions. – AFP
