Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed that Moscow will seize Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region “by military or other means,” reaffirming one of the Kremlin’s core territorial demands even as Ukrainian officials prepare for a new round of peace talks with the United States.
Putin made the declaration in an interview with India Today ahead of his trip to New Delhi, where he is being hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The remarks underscore Moscow’s hardening position at a moment when diplomatic efforts driven in part by U.S. envoys, have yet to produce a breakthrough.
“We will liberate Donbas and Novorossiya in any case – by military or other means,” Putin said, according to Russian state media. Asked what he considers a Russian victory, he answered: “We will finish it when we achieve the goals set at the beginning of the special military operation, when we free these territories.”
The reference to “Novorossiya,” a tsarist-era term that Putin has revived to justify territorial claims deep into Ukraine, signals that Russia’s maximalist aims remain unchanged. Although Moscow illegally annexed four Ukrainian regions in 2022, it has not fully conquered any of them.
Slow Russian Advance Undercuts Kremlin’s Confidence
Despite Putin’s confident rhetoric, Russia’s progress on the battlefield has been grinding and limited. At the current pace of advancement, Russian forces would not fully seize the Donetsk region until August 2027, according to an analysis by the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War.
This slow trajectory raises questions about whether Moscow is using negotiations to secure concessions it cannot easily win militarily, particularly territorial withdrawal by Ukrainian forces, one of the demands Putin reiterated.
Diplomatic Activity Intensifies
Putin’s comments come just days after he hosted a U.S. delegation at the Kremlin for discussions on a possible framework to end the war. The delegation was led by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and included Jared Kushner, son-in-law and adviser to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Putin acknowledged that the talks were lengthy and “difficult,” saying both sides had to “go through each point of the peace proposals.” He also confirmed that Russia disagreed with several aspects of the American plan.
Trump, speaking a day later, described the meeting as “very good” but cautioned that “it does take two to tango,” suggesting no major breakthrough had been achieved.
The peace plan under discussion traces back to a 28-point proposal drafted by the Trump administration and leaked in late November. Several provisions were widely criticized by Ukraine and European partners as concessions to Moscow, particularly on territorial issues.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yury Ushakov, said the talks included discussion of territorial matters, “without which we do not see a solution to the crisis.” Some elements of the U.S. proposals were described as “more or less acceptable,” while others “do not suit us.”
Ukraine Seeks Clarity from Washington
As Moscow affirms its territorial red lines, Ukraine is seeking clarity from Washington about the direction of U.S.-led diplomacy.
Ukrainian representatives including Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and General Andrii Hnatov are traveling to Miami to meet U.S. counterparts. They expect to review details of the Moscow meeting and assess the implications for Ukraine’s negotiating position.
“Our task now is to obtain full information about what was said in Russia, what other reasons Putin found to prolong the war and put pressure on Ukraine, on us, on our independence,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address.
The Miami meeting comes just four days after a previous high-level session between U.S. and Ukrainian officials. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized that earlier meeting as “very productive and useful,” indicating some progress had been made.
A Path to Peace Still Elusive
With Moscow entrenched in its territorial demands and Kyiv refusing to cede any Ukrainian territory, the path toward compromise remains narrow. While both sides are participating in talks with Washington, their core positions appear unchanged.
As diplomatic exchanges continue, the war now in its third year shows no signs of nearing a resolution. Putin’s declaration that Russia will take Donbas “by any means” is likely to harden Ukrainian resolve and further complicate Western efforts to craft a viable peace framework.
