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Putin Calls Ukraine Peace Talks “Useful” but Maintains Maximalist Demands
Putin says talks with US were “very useful” but doubles down on seizing Donbas by force. Ukraine demands real peace, not appeasement.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-12-04
Putin Calls Ukraine Peace Talks “Useful” but Maintains Maximalist Demands

Russian President Vladimir Putin described talks with U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner over ending the war in Ukraine as “very useful,” but reaffirmed Russia’s intent to seize control of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region by force. Putin’s comments confirm Kremlin reports that no consensus was reached in the Moscow discussions and highlight Moscow’s continued maximalist stance on territorial demands.

“It all boils down to this: either we will liberate these territories by force, or Ukrainian troops will leave these territories and stop fighting there,” Putin said, according to state news agency Tass.

Tensions over the Donbas, comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, have persisted since Russian-backed separatists clashed with Ukrainian forces years ago, escalating into a full-scale invasion in February 2022. Despite earlier reports suggesting Putin might be open to a negotiated settlement, his remarks indicate that Moscow is unlikely to compromise on its “red lines.”

The U.S. envoys are set to continue follow-up discussions in Florida with top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that he cannot cede territory under the Ukrainian constitution, and that rewarding Russia for its invasion is unacceptable.

The talks also revisited the controversial 28-point plan proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Initially envisioning Ukraine ceding the Donbas, limiting its military, and abandoning NATO aspirations, the plan was revised to 19 points after criticism. Putin confirmed that the original 28 points are “still valid” and remain under discussion.

Russian attacks on civilian areas continue across Ukraine. A ballistic missile struck Kryvyi Rih, injuring six people, including a child. Shelling in Kherson resulted in the death of a six-year-old girl, while drone strikes on Odesa injured eight people and damaged energy infrastructure. Moscow accused Ukraine of disrupting peace talks through attacks on oil tankers and pipelines.

Currently, Russia controls roughly 19.2% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, all of Luhansk, more than 80% of Donetsk, and major portions of Kherson and Zaporizhia. Ukrainian forces continue to hold key areas, including 5,000 sq km in Donetsk.

At the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed that Europe should avoid the mistakes of the past, referencing the 1938 Munich Agreement as a cautionary tale. “We need real peace, not appeasement,” he said, pledging to use every opportunity to end the war.

As talks continue, the path to peace remains uncertain, with competing red lines, ongoing Russian attacks, and complex international dynamics shaping the conflict’s trajectory.
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putin

PeaceTalks

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