Putin Doubles Down on Demand for Ukraine Land as U.S. Peace Talks Stall

Russian President Vladimir Putin has doubled down on his demand for Ukraine to surrender territory, saying his country will take full control of eastern Ukraine “by military or other means,” even as both sides continue separate peace talks with the United States.

Putin made the remarks in an interview with ‘India Today’ ahead of a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

Despite Putin’s claim, Russian forces are advancing slowly. At their current pace, they would not capture the full Donetsk region until August 2027, according to an analysis by the US-based Institute for the Study of War.

Putin’s remarks also come just days after he met a U.S. delegation in Moscow to review a possible peace plan. He said the talks were lengthy and that Russia disagreed with parts of the American proposal.

U.S. President Trump later described the meeting as “very good” but acknowledged that reaching a deal will be difficult, saying it “takes two to tango.”

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials are heading to Miami for separate talks with U.S. officials this week. They are expected to review what was discussed in Moscow and continue negotiations on a U.S.-drafted 28-point peace plan.

The US has been meeting with both Russia and Ukraine in recent weeks, but so far no major breakthrough has been announced.