MOSCOW, RUSSIA—Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered an unyielding ultimatum regarding the conflict in Ukraine, declaring that Moscow will accept nothing less than full control of the Donbas region, asserting that if Ukrainian troops do not immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the territory claimed by Russia, it will be seized by military force.
The maximalist statement, made in a foreign media interview and repeated by state television this week, effectively shuts down any prospect of a quick ceasefire and confirms that Russia is entering high-stakes peace talks with the United States from a position of profound inflexibility.
The Two-Choice Demand
President Putin’s commentary clarifies that Russia is prepared to pursue its military objectives until the entirety of the Donbas—comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts—is under Russian control, even those parts Moscow has failed to conquer since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
- The Ultimatum: “Either we liberate these territories by force of arms, or Ukrainian troops leave these territories,” Putin stated, signaling that Russia will not tolerate the existing front lines as a basis for a negotiated peace.
- Territorial Goals: Russia illegally claimed to have annexed the entire Donbas region (along with Kherson and Zaporizhzhia) in 2022, but Ukrainian forces still retain control of approximately 5,000 square kilometers of Donetsk. Putin’s demand is a direct push to seize this remaining territory.
- Kyiv’s Rejection: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently rejected any proposal that involves ceding sovereign Ukrainian territory, arguing that rewarding Moscow for a war of aggression is unacceptable.
Talks Under Threat
The bullish demand from the Kremlin chief places immense pressure on the renewed diplomatic push led by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who is due to lead a delegation to Moscow for talks.
Putin confirmed that Russia had reviewed the latest draft of the U.S.-backed peace plan, which seeks to establish a framework for ending the war. While he conceded that the plan could serve as a “basis” for agreement, he stressed that the recognition of Russian control over Crimea and Donbas remains a key point of disagreement that the U.S. must address.
Analysts suggest Putin’s uncompromising public stance is a deliberate strategy to leverage Russia’s slow but steady military gains on the battlefield. By claiming the Donbas is an inevitable part of Russia—whether through negotiation or through force—he aims to demonstrate to Washington that time is on Moscow’s side.
The demand for withdrawal is seen by Kyiv as an attempt to undermine its sovereignty and force a political capitulation that Russia has failed to achieve militarily. It confirms that despite the diplomatic efforts, the fundamental conditions required for a stable peace remain diametrically opposed.