Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence in Russia’s military operations, saying there was positive momentum everywhere on the frontline, adding that Russia was “basically ready to fight to the last Ukrainian.”
Ahead of a US delegation due to visit Moscow next week to discuss the latest US proposal aimed at ending the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, Putin said during a news conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday (November 27th) that no draft peace agreement had been reached in recent US-Ukraine talks. Instead, there is only a list of discussion points.
“No draft peace agreement has been agreed. Only a list of issues to be discussed,” Putin said.
No confidence in the leadership of Ukraine
Putin reiterated that signing any documents with Ukraine’s current leadership would be “useless” and argued that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lacked legitimacy.
Russian demands and terms of the armistice
The Russian president reiterated tough demands from Moscow, including that Ukrainian troops withdraw from occupied territory before any ceasefire can be signed.
“If the Ukrainian troops leave the occupied territory, the military action will stop. If they do not leave, we will achieve this by armed force,” Putin said.
He also insisted that recognition of Russia’s occupation of Crimea, Donbas and parts of eastern and southern Ukraine must be included in the negotiations.
US peace proposals as a starting point
Ahead of an expected visit to Moscow by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Putin said the latest US proposals could serve as a basis for future deals.
“Overall, we see that the American side is taking our position into consideration… In some areas, we definitely need to sit down and seriously discuss specific issues,” he said, referring to previous talks in Anchorage and Alaska.
Comments on the missed call
Putin also commented on a leaked tape in which Witkoff appeared to advise top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov on how Moscow could present peace plans to Trump.
“It could be some kind of fake news… Actually, it’s a crime; wiretapping is illegal in our country. It’s not about us. It’s about the battle of opinion between the collective West and the US about what needs to be done to end hostilities,” Putin said.
