- Putin says Russia will take control of Donbas and Novorossiya, using military or other means
- Peace talks between Russia and the US fail to achieve a breakthrough
- Russia's control of Donetsk is expected to take years at the current pace
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated Moscow’s intention to seize Ukraine’s Donbas region “by military or other means,” doubling down on one of his key demands as peace talks with Ukraine continue without a breakthrough.
Putin, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made the comments in an interview with India Today ahead of the summit. He stated that Russia would “liberate Donbas and Novorossiya in any case – by military or other means,” according to Russian state media TASS. These remarks reinforce Russia’s insistence on territorial gains in Ukraine, particularly in Donbas, which it has illegally annexed but not fully captured. The term “Novorossiya,” referring to the historical territories of the Russian Empire, was revived by Putin to justify Russia’s actions, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
As Russian forces continue to push for territorial control, Ukrainian officials are also engaged in talks with US counterparts about a potential plan to end the war. Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Miami on Thursday to discuss the results of a recent meeting between US representatives, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Putin’s team.
Despite Putin’s firm stance, an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War suggests that at the current rate of Russian advances, it could take until August 2027 for Russia to fully seize the Donetsk region, which is part of Donbas.
In a separate meeting earlier this week, Putin discussed the US’s peace proposals with Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. While both sides agreed on some points, there were significant disagreements, particularly over Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Putin reiterated Russia’s demand for Ukraine to withdraw its forces from Donbas and halt military actions.
US officials have remained cautious about the outcome of these talks, with Trump describing the discussions as “good” but noting that no breakthroughs were achieved. Details of the talks, which have been ongoing since a peace plan was leaked in late November, remain sparse. Ukrainian officials have expressed reservations about some points of the proposed plan, which they view as concessions to Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian representatives are expected to continue their diplomatic efforts, with talks scheduled to address key issues, including territory, as they work toward a potential resolution.
