Putin signals openness to US deal but tells Ukraine to pull back or face more war

Putin says Zelenskyy rejects territorial talks as peace push stalls

Vladimir Putin, Russian president has given his most upbeat assessment yet of a United States backed peace proposal for Ukraine, saying a revised version of the plan could serve as the basis for future negotiations. But he also issued fresh warnings that Russia will continue its assault unless Kyiv agrees to surrender territory now under Moscow’s control.

Speaking to reporters during a state visit to Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, Putin said Washington had taken Russia’s views into account while drafting the proposal. He added that the latest version, still under discussion, showed “some movement” from the US side.

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“There is no final document yet but the plan can form the basis for future agreements,” Putin said. “We are ready for a serious discussion.”

The original 28 point plan, unveiled by the US last week, faced immediate pushback from Ukraine and several European governments. It was seen as far too soft on Moscow, calling for major territorial concessions from Kyiv, a limit on the size of Ukraine’s armed forces and an amnesty for war crimes. Ukrainian officials say those provisions have now been removed.

Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s first deputy foreign minister, confirmed changes were made after Kyiv raised strong objections. “The plan is being adjusted. Ukraine has made its position clear,” he said.

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Despite the more positive public tone, Putin reinforced long standing demands that Ukraine withdraw from areas Russia claims as its own. Moscow occupies roughly one fifth of internationally recognised Ukrainian territory, including almost all of Luhansk and parts of Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

“Ukrainian troops must leave the territories they hold. Then the fighting will stop,” Putin said. “If they do not withdraw, we will achieve this by military means.”

The Russian leader also repeated that any settlement must recognise Russia’s territorial gains and be accepted by the wider international community. He again questioned the legitimacy of Ukraine’s current leadership, remarks likely to harden Kyiv’s stance ahead of negotiations.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said his team will meet US officials at the end of this week to continue work on a peace formula discussed earlier in Geneva. In his nightly video address, he said, “Our delegation will be well prepared and focused on meaningful work.”

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He added that next week would bring “important negotiations” for him personally but did not give further details.

Putin said he expects a US delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff to arrive in Moscow early next week, raising hopes that both sides may soon be poring over the same draft text. But expectations remain low. European diplomats warn that Russia’s demands, especially its insistence on absorbing four Ukrainian regions it has annexed but not fully captured, leave little room for compromise.

On the battlefield, Russia has in recent weeks pressed forward along parts of the eastern front, most notably near the city of Pokrovsk. Those gains have strengthened Moscow’s belief that time is on its side.

Faith Omoboye is a foreign affairs correspondent with background in History and International relations. Her work focuses on African politics, diplomacy, and global governance.

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