Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled that any potential peace deal with Ukraine would require significant territorial concessions from Kiev. The Russian leader stated that if Ukrainian forces withdraw from areas currently under Kyiv's control, Moscow will halt its offensive.
However, Putin insisted that Ukraine must surrender territory for a deal to be possible, indicating that the war is unlikely to end anytime soon. His comments also suggest that Russia's maximalist demands remain unchanged and are viewed as unacceptable by Kyiv.
In Geneva, US and Ukrainian officials had discussed a draft peace plan, but it appears that Moscow will only consider this proposal if Ukraine agrees to its terms. The plan calls for significant reductions in US military assistance to Ukraine and the banning of western troops from deploying in the country.
The Russian president's remarks have been met with skepticism by analysts, who argue that Putin is unlikely to compromise on his demands. According to Tatiana Stanovaya, an independent Russian political analyst, "I see nothing at the moment that would force Putin to recalculate his goals or abandon his core demands."
Putin's comments also sparked outrage after he described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "illegitimate". The remark is a repeat of previous attacks by Putin on Kyiv's leadership.
The US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will travel to Russia next week in an attempt to revive peace talks. However, tensions remain high, and it remains to be seen whether the two sides can reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
In essence, Putin's comments underscore the difficulties of brokering a peace deal with Ukraine, where both sides have fundamentally different positions on key issues. While the US is seeking to reduce Russian aggression, Moscow appears determined to achieve its goals through military means rather than compromise.
However, Putin insisted that Ukraine must surrender territory for a deal to be possible, indicating that the war is unlikely to end anytime soon. His comments also suggest that Russia's maximalist demands remain unchanged and are viewed as unacceptable by Kyiv.
In Geneva, US and Ukrainian officials had discussed a draft peace plan, but it appears that Moscow will only consider this proposal if Ukraine agrees to its terms. The plan calls for significant reductions in US military assistance to Ukraine and the banning of western troops from deploying in the country.
The Russian president's remarks have been met with skepticism by analysts, who argue that Putin is unlikely to compromise on his demands. According to Tatiana Stanovaya, an independent Russian political analyst, "I see nothing at the moment that would force Putin to recalculate his goals or abandon his core demands."
Putin's comments also sparked outrage after he described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "illegitimate". The remark is a repeat of previous attacks by Putin on Kyiv's leadership.
The US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will travel to Russia next week in an attempt to revive peace talks. However, tensions remain high, and it remains to be seen whether the two sides can reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
In essence, Putin's comments underscore the difficulties of brokering a peace deal with Ukraine, where both sides have fundamentally different positions on key issues. While the US is seeking to reduce Russian aggression, Moscow appears determined to achieve its goals through military means rather than compromise.
. And Putin's comments on Ukraine aren't exactly surprising either - it feels like Russia's always been super invested in expanding its territory. 
. Putin's comments just reinforce that.
... it feels like he's just trying to push Ukraine around and get what he wants without any regard for their feelings or well-being. I mean, what kind of 'peace deal' requires them to give up territory? That's not how peace works! 
It's all about compromise and finding common ground, not one side getting everything they want while the other has nothing.
. I'm sure it's meant to undermine his authority, but it's only going to rally people against Russia even more. It's like, can't we all just get along and talk things out? 
The US is trying to help with peace talks, but Moscow seems determined to play hardball. Fingers crossed that Steve Witkoff can make a difference next week 
, they gotta stand firm against those russian aggresors Putin's demands are straight outta dystopian novel lol what if the whole world is watching & he thinks hes above the law? 
anyway, im all 4 peace but not at the expense of ukrainians 
it's like he's trying to prove that some people just can't see eye to eye no matter what they do. Putin's comments are a reminder that sometimes you gotta accept that there are gonna be people who hold on to things so tightly, they don't wanna budge - and it's hard to get past that when you're tryin' to find common ground.
another day, more devastating news 
Russia's territorial concessions are basically a joke 
The US special envoy might try to revive talks but let's be real, the odds are against us 
We're probably stuck in this endless cycle of war for a looong time 
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy is getting slammed by Putin and it's just not right 
It's like they think Ukraine is some kind of pawn in a game that doesn't even matter to them 
I feel like the US should just give up on peace talks now, Russia's demands are never gonna change and they're just using the war as an excuse to get what they want 
Putin's gotta be kiddin' himself if he thinks Ukraine's gonna just hand over all that territory like a hot potato 
. Back in my day, we didn't just give up our stuff to some dictator who wanted it more than us 
It's gonna take a lot more than just words to get Putin to back down. And that comment about Zelenskyy... 
just shows what kind of guy he is. Anyway, it's gonna be tough to get anything done with Russia bein' so inflexible... 
, I mean, he's just saying what we all know: Russia wants more territory, no matter what 
. But at the same time, I'm like, maybe he's trying to look tough in front of his own people? You feel me? 
. The thing is, I think the West has been too soft on Russia, maybe that's part of the problem 
.
. Can't help but feel that Putin's gonna get his way just 'cause he's got the military might 
That's not exactly diplomacy right there.
It seems like a lot of people on both sides are just trying to achieve the same goal – peace – but we're not seeing any real progress here 
.
Putin's words are like those of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs - all about manipulation and getting what he wants, no matter the cost 
And let's be real, his "illegitimate" comment towards Zelenskyy was low-key shady 
I mean, I know they're not happy with the US helping out Ukraine, but come on, can't we just talk about this and find a middle ground? 
It's all so frustrating... and that comment about Zelenskyy being "illegitimate" is just rude 
Putin's comments about Ukraine are super concerning and i think everyone should calm down and try to understand each other's perspectives 
. US & Ukraine officials have been working on a peace plan, so lets not write it off just yet 
. maybe steve witkoff can help bring about some positive change in russia 
. I'm not sure what more concessions Ukraine can offer at this point... maybe they need to just think outside the box (or in this case, the Minsk agreement 
.
?