Vladimir Putin has introduced significant complications into efforts to end the Ukraine war by coupling conditional acceptance of Trump’s peace framework with an ultimatum that Ukrainian forces must abandon territories they hold. Speaking from Kyrgyzstan, the Russian leader confirmed that Moscow had reviewed the American-backed proposal and considered it a potential basis for future agreements, though he emphasized that numerous specific issues still require resolution before any deal could be finalized.
The Russian president’s conditions for peace may prove unacceptable to Ukraine and its Western supporters. Putin demanded complete withdrawal of Ukrainian military forces from territories under their control as a prerequisite for ending combat operations. He characterized this as a binary choice, warning that if Ukraine refuses to retreat, Russia will continue pursuing its military objectives through armed conflict. This stance effectively requires Ukraine to surrender strategic positions and population centers before peace negotiations can advance.
Putin further complicated diplomatic prospects by questioning whether Ukraine’s government possesses the legal authority to negotiate a binding agreement. He pointed to Zelensky’s continuation in office beyond his electoral mandate without holding new elections, dismissing the Ukrainian president’s legitimacy despite widespread international recognition. The Russian leader also insisted that any peace settlement must include global acknowledgment of Russia’s territorial conquests in Ukraine, seeking permanent legal recognition of occupied regions.
The American peace initiative has evolved substantially following intense criticism that early versions overwhelmingly favored Russian positions. Initial proposals reportedly required Ukraine to surrender the Donbas region entirely, accept Russian control over Crimea, slash military capabilities, prevent deployment of foreign forces or long-range weapons, and permanently renounce NATO aspirations. After Ukrainian and European pushback, the framework was streamlined from 28 provisions to 19, with remaining contentious points reserved for direct discussions between Kyiv and Washington.
Ukrainian President Zelensky navigates an increasingly narrow path between catastrophic alternatives, describing the choice as potentially requiring either a “loss of dignity” or risking the “loss of a key partner” in the United States. While Ukrainian officials have signaled readiness to engage with the revised proposal, the fundamental question remains whether any agreement can satisfy both Putin’s territorial demands and Ukraine’s sovereignty requirements. The ongoing violence, including recent drone strikes on Zaporizhzhia residential areas, underscores the urgency of finding common ground.