Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday clearly signaled that he would not compromise on Ukraine’s demands for territorial cession, despite US President Donald Trump’s increased push for peace.
In a combative speech that came as U.S. and European leaders are making frantic diplomatic efforts to secure a peace deal, Putin slammed Ukraine’s European allies and said Russia would seize territory by force if necessary.
“We want to do this through diplomacy and eliminate the root causes of the conflict,” Putin said at the annual meeting of Russia’s Ministry of Defense.
“If the hostile state and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions, Russia will achieve the liberation of historical lands through military means,” he added. He referred to areas that Ukraine is demanding to cede, a key stalemate in ongoing peace negotiations.
This territorial issue and Ukraine’s security has proven difficult to resolve during peace negotiations, highlighting the competing priorities of Ukraine, the United States, Europe, and Russia.
Russia has illegally annexed the Donbass region of Ukraine, but has not completely conquered it. At its current rate of advance, Russia will not seize control of the entire region until August 2027, according to an analysis by the Institute for War Studies, a US-based conflict monitor.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kiev would not recognize the temporarily occupied territories of the eastern Donbass region as Russian territory, either legally or de facto.
The Ukrainian president also appeared to refer to comments Putin made in a speech Wednesday night about “historic lands.” “There are other countries in Europe that someone in Russia might someday call ‘historic lands,'” Zelenskiy warned. “We need real protection from Russia’s crazy history.”
President Trump has consistently been bullish on the possibility of a peace agreement, saying this week that “we are closer than ever.”
Ukraine’s European allies are more cautious and want strong security for the country.
President Putin took pains to emphasize the difference in his speech. Russia is “committed to dialogue with the United States,” but under its current leadership it is unlikely to engage meaningfully with Europe on peace, he said.
“I hope the same thing will happen in Europe,” Putin added.
“It is unlikely to be possible with the current political elite, but in any case it is inevitable as we continue to strengthen. It is time for Europe’s current elite to change, if not with the current politicians,” he said.
Putin’s defiant remarks come ahead of a key summit in Brussels this week, where European leaders will debate whether to use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of reaching a deal in a speech to the European Parliament on Wednesday, calling on the continent to take responsibility for its own security and continue funding Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
von der Leyen said: “No act is more important in the defense of Europe than supporting the defense of Ukraine. The next few days will be an important step in securing this. It is up to us to choose how to finance the fight in Ukraine.”
Two European proposals for funding Ukraine are being discussed, one based on the use of frozen assets and the other on borrowing.
