Putin Vows to Press Offensive Unless Ukraine Withdraws from Occupied Territory

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow would halt its offensive in Ukraine only if Kyiv withdrew from territory Russia demands; otherwise, he warned, Russian forces would seize those areas by force.

Putin made the comments during a visit to Kyrgyzstan as his forces continue a sustained and costly push through eastern Ukraine. Russia currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's territory, a central sticking point in any talks to end the conflict.

Peace draft and diplomatic moves

Washington has circulated a revised draft plan it hopes could kick-start negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. The initial US proposal — reportedly drawn up without full consultation with European partners — would have required Kyiv to withdraw from parts of eastern Donetsk and would have amounted to de facto US recognition of Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea. Following criticism from Kyiv and European capitals, Washington trimmed that proposal and has not published the final text.

Putin said he had seen the new draft and suggested it might serve as a basis for talks:

"Overall, we agree that it could form the basis for future agreements."

He also reiterated that Russia seeks international recognition of territories it occupies, a demand Kyiv firmly rejects.

Kyiv's response

Andriy Yermak, a senior aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky, strongly denied that Ukraine would cede land. In an interview he said:

"As long as Zelensky is president, no one should count on us giving up territory. He will not sign away territory."

He added that, for now, talks should focus on defining the line of contact along the roughly 1,100-kilometre front.

Putin said US negotiator Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow next week to discuss the revised draft, while the US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is due to visit Kyiv.

Frontline claims and battlefield situation

Putin repeated Russian claims that forces had encircled Ukrainian units around Pokrovsk and Myrnograd in Donetsk — one of the fiercest zones of fighting. Using Russian-language town names, he said "Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov are completely surrounded," and added that Moscow was advancing near Vovchansk, Siversk and the logistics hub of Huliaipole.

Ukrainian officials deny their forces are encircled at Pokrovsk and Myrnograd, saying they continue to hold positions along the front line.

Analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicates that Russian forces captured an average of about 467 square kilometres (180 square miles) per month in 2025, an acceleration compared with 2024.

Political implications and human cost

Putin also questioned President Zelensky's legal capacity to sign any agreement right now, calling it "almost impossible," a stance that drew strong objections from Kyiv and its Western partners.

Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people, creating a severe humanitarian crisis across the region.