Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will not compromise on demands that Ukraine cede territory and warned Russia could use military force if diplomacy fails. The remarks came as US President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to broker a peace deal and European leaders prepare to debate using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War say Russia would only control the entire Donbas by August 2027 at its current rate of advance. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged the EU to commit to Ukraine's defence and decide how to finance continued support.
Putin Rejects Territorial Concessions, Warns of Military Action as Trump Intensifies Peace Push
Vladimir Putin gave a speech at the annual meeting of the Russian Ministry of Defense. - Alexander Kazakov/AFP/POOL/Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin signalled on Wednesday that he will not back down from demands that Ukraine cede territory, warning that Moscow could seize land by force if diplomacy fails. His remarks came as US President Donald Trump stepped up efforts to broker a peace agreement and as European leaders prepare to debate using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Putin accused Ukraine’s European backers of obstructing practical talks and said Russia would pursue ‘‘the liberation of its historical lands’’ if substantive negotiations do not take place.
"We would prefer to do this, and eliminate the root causes of the conflict, through diplomacy," Putin said. "If the opposing country and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands through military means."
The territorial question — particularly Russia’s demands that Kyiv cede parts of the Donbas region and other areas — remains a core sticking point in the talks. The issue of security guarantees for Ukraine has also proved difficult to reconcile among Kyiv, Washington, European capitals and Moscow.
Russia has illegally annexed parts of Ukraine’s Donbas but has not fully secured the region. An analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US-based conflict monitor, estimated that at the current pace of advance Russia would only control the entire Donbas by August 2027.
Putin gave a long, winding speech. - Kristina Kormilitsyna/Sputnik/AP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s stance on Monday, saying Ukraine will not recognise the temporarily occupied parts of eastern Donbas as legally or de facto Russian.
Trump, meanwhile, has been optimistic about the prospects for a deal, saying recently that "we're closer now than we have been." European leaders remain more cautious and have pressed for robust security guarantees and continued military and financial support for Ukraine.
Putin sought to draw a contrast in his remarks, saying Russia was "engaged in a dialogue with the US" while suggesting meaningful engagement with Europe was unlikely under current European political elites. "I hope the same (engagement) will happen with Europe," he added, but said it might only be possible after political changes in European leadership.
Putin’s comments came ahead of a key summit in Brussels where EU leaders will debate proposals to finance continued aid to Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged lawmakers to take responsibility for the continent’s security and to approve measures to sustain Ukraine’s defence.
"There is no more important act of European defence than supporting Ukraine's defence. The next days will be a crucial step for securing this. It's up to us to choose how we fund Ukraine's fight," von der Leyen said.
Two European funding proposals are under discussion: one would use frozen Russian assets to provide financing, and the other would raise money through borrowing. The outcome of the summit could shape European support for Kyiv in the near term and affect the prospects for any negotiated settlement.
