ALBAWABA- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday reaffirmed that Moscow will push its war in Ukraine until it gains full control of the Donbas, calling the region “historically Russian territory” and rejecting any compromise.
Speaking at a Council for Strategic Development meeting, he warned that Ukrainian forces must withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk or be “forcibly removed,” insisting Russia seeks peace only on its own terms. His remarks, delivered to pro-Kremlin activists, came as Russian forces tout gains such as the recent capture of Pokrovsk.
Putin also hinted at broader territorial ambitions, suggesting Russia could move to cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea by targeting Odesa and Mykolaiv, dismissing Western concerns of escalation.
In London, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met leaders from France, Germany, and the UK to shore up European unity amid what Kyiv sees as U.S. pressure to accept unfavorable terms.
Zelensky said Ukraine will submit a revised 20-point peace proposal to Washington by Tuesday, removing what he called “anti-Ukrainian” elements from President Trump’s earlier 28-point draft, including demands to cede 20% of the Donbas.
“We have no legal or moral right to surrender territory,” he said, stressing that any peace requires Russian de-escalation.
U.S.-mediated negotiations remain stalled.
A recent Moscow meeting between Putin and Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner produced no breakthrough, with Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov citing unresolved “territorial issues.”
Further talks in Miami narrowed differences on security guarantees and NATO provisions, but deadlocked over Donbas sovereignty. Trump has publicly urged Kyiv to “start accepting things,” arguing Russia holds the battlefield advantage.
The impasse mirrors Washington’s 2025 National Security Strategy, which prioritizes a rapid end to the war to redirect U.S. focus toward China and the Western Hemisphere.
