Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that a US-backed peace proposal to end the war in Ukraine could form the basis for negotiations, while reiterating demands that Ukrainian forces withdraw from territories Moscow claims or face continued military action.
Speaking to reporters in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, at the end of a three-day state visit, Putin confirmed that a US delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Moscow in the first half of next week for discussions. “Overall, we agree that this can be used as a basis for future agreements,” Putin said, though he emphasized that “everything needs to be put into diplomatic language”.
The comments marked Putin’s first extensive public remarks on the Trump administration’s peace initiative since reports emerged last week of a 28-point plan that appeared heavily weighted toward Russian demands. The proposal sparked immediate backlash from Ukraine and European allies, prompting weekend negotiations in Geneva led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that reportedly reduced the framework to 19 points.
Hardline Stance Continues
Despite expressing openness to dialogue, Putin maintained uncompromising positions on key issues. “If Ukrainian troops withdraw from the territories they occupy, hostilities will cease. If they don’t withdraw, we will achieve this by force,” the Russian leader said. Russia currently controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory and demands Ukraine cede complete control of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Putin also specified that negotiations must address “de facto” recognition of Crimea and the Donbas regions as Russian territory. The Kremlin has insisted on legally binding guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO and restrictions on Kyiv’s military capabilities
Mixed Signals on Progress
The Russian president’s remarks came amid conflicting assessments about the prospects for peace. President Trump said Tuesday that negotiations showed “tremendous progress,” while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioned it was “premature” to suggest a deal is near.
Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev told ABC News that Putin appears to be “playing for time” and “outsmarting” Western adversaries, noting that Russia has captured approximately 350 square miles of Ukrainian territory since the August summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska.
Ukrainian officials have insisted on Western security guarantees and maintained they will not concede sovereignty over occupied territories. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously warned that Ukraine faces a difficult choice between its “dignity and freedom” or risking US support.