Putin rejects compromise on Ukraine despite Trump's pressure
What's the story
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out any compromise on his demands for Ukraine to cede territory. This comes despite United States President Donald Trump's push for peace. Addressing the annual meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry, Putin criticized Ukraine's European allies and said Russia would resort to military force if necessary. "If the opposing country...refuse to engage in substantive discussions, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands through military means," he said.
Territorial claims
Putin's stance on Ukraine's territorial integrity
Putin reiterated that Russia would prefer to resolve the issue through diplomacy but warned that if Ukraine and its allies refuse to engage, Russia would liberate its "historical lands" by military means. This statement refers to the regions he demands Ukraine cede, a major obstacle in peace negotiations. The territory question and security guarantees for Ukraine have been contentious issues in talks involving Ukraine, the US, Europe, and Russia.
Ongoing conflict
Ukraine's resistance and European concerns
Russia has annexed Ukraine's Donbas region but hasn't fully conquered it. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia would not take over the entire region until August 2027 at its current pace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said Kyiv won't recognize any part of occupied Donbas as Russian territory. He also warned that other European countries could be called "historical lands" by Russia in the future. "We need real protection from this Russian history of madness."
Diplomatic dialogue
Putin's remarks on US and Europe relations
While Trump remains optimistic about a peace accord, Ukraine's European allies are cautious and want strong security guarantees for the country. Recognizing this difference, Putin emphasized that Russia is in dialogue with the US, but meaningful engagement with Europe seems unlikely under current leadership. "I hope the same (engagement) will happen with Europe," Putin added.
Funding debate
European Commission President's call for action
His comments come ahead of a key summit in Brussels where European leaders will discuss using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stressed the need to reach an agreement in a speech to the European Parliament. She emphasized that supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia is a key act of European defense. Two proposals are being discussed: one using frozen assets and another based on borrowing.