Putin Signals No Retreat as Ukraine Peace Talks Continue

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his firm stance on the Ukraine conflict, warning European leaders that Moscow will achieve its goals in Ukraine by any means necessary. Speaking at an annual meeting of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday evening, Putin emphasised that Russia would pursue its objectives through diplomatic channels or military force, leaving no alternative unconsidered.

The declaration comes amid intensified efforts by former U.S. President Donald Trump to broker a resolution to the conflict, although substantial progress has yet to materialise. Putin insisted that if Ukraine refuses to engage in practical negotiations, Russia would liberate what it considers its historical territories by military means. He further accused previous U.S. administrations of deliberately creating conditions for the war in Ukraine.

Addressing European leaders directly, Putin accused them of aligning quickly with former U.S. policies, suggesting that they expected to benefit from Russia’s decline. “Europe’s small actors swiftly joined the work of past U.S. administrations, hoping to profit from the downfall of our country,” he stated.

The remarks followed reports from U.S. officials indicating that during talks in Berlin with Ukrainian and European leaders, approximately 90 per cent of issues related to a peace settlement have been resolved. However, Moscow and Kyiv remain at an impasse over two major issues: territorial concessions and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Putin has consistently demanded that Ukraine cede the Donbas region, encompassing Luhansk and Donetsk, almost entirely under Russian control. Kyiv, however, refuses to relinquish these territories. President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that any such decision requires the consent of the Ukrainian people.

During the Berlin discussions, European and U.S. officials proposed additional security guarantees for Ukraine, including an increase in the national army and potential deployment of European forces. The proposals are expected to be submitted to Moscow, though it remains uncertain whether Putin will accept them.

Meanwhile, President Zelensky has urged continued support from European allies, highlighting the “pointlessness” of the conflict and emphasising the need to safeguard Ukraine against further Russian aggression. In a message on Telegram, he stated that Russia continues to signal its intention to escalate the war, and that Kyiv will work with all allies to secure genuine protection from Moscow’s aggression.

Key Points – Russia-Ukraine Conflict Update