Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated on Thursday that Moscow is prepared to suspend military operations in Ukraine on the condition that Ukrainian forces withdraw from territories Russia claims as its own. Speaking at a press conference in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Putin declared: “If Ukrainian forces leave the occupied territories, we will stop fighting. If they do not leave, we will expel them by military force.”
Putin did not clarify whether his demand applies solely to the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk—long considered top priorities for the Kremlin, or whether it also includes the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Together, the four territories were declared annexed by Russia in September 2022, despite Moscow not having full control over them.
The Russian president also commented on the draft peace plan recently discussed between Washington and Kyiv, saying that its general outlines could serve as the basis for future agreements aimed at ending the conflict. According to earlier disclosures, the first version of the U.S. proposal suggested ceding Donetsk and Luhansk to Russia, an idea widely condemned inside Ukraine, where surrendering territory has been consistently described as a red line.
Following consultations with Ukrainian officials, the proposal underwent revisions. Washington’s special envoy, Steve Whitcoff, is expected to travel to Moscow next week to continue discussions with Russian officials, signaling a potential shift toward more direct dialogue despite the ongoing hostilities.
While addressing the broader geopolitical climate, Putin insisted that Russia harbors no intention of attacking the European Union. However, he warned that Moscow has prepared “economic countermeasures” should the EU proceed with the confiscation of Russia’s frozen assets, an issue that has increasingly strained relations between the Kremlin and European capitals.
Putin’s latest remarks underscore the rigid conditions Russia continues to impose for any ceasefire, while also hinting at cautious diplomatic engagement through U.S.-mediated initiatives. For Kyiv, which maintains that territorial concessions remain unacceptable, the road to any negotiated settlement appears fraught with political and strategic obstacles. Meanwhile, the conflict continues to grind on with no clear end in sight, even as international actors attempt to revive discussions over a possible peace framework.
