Vladimir Putin said a draft peace plan discussed by the US and Ukraine could form the basis for future negotiations, but only if Ukraine agrees to surrender territory.
He noted that parts of the proposal reflect Russia’s position, though other issues would require further talks. Putin again labeled Volodymyr Zelenskyy “illegitimate,” signalling little progress on key obstacles to ending the war.
During a visit to Kyrgyzstan, he warned that Russia would stop its offensive only if Ukrainian forces withdrew from areas currently under Kyiv’s control. He also argued that Ukraine’s “illegitimate” leadership made a binding agreement impossible without broader international involvement.
Putin confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff would travel to Russia soon and dismissed accusations of Witkoff’s pro-Moscow bias. The Kremlin continues to signal openness to talks while refusing to soften its maximalist demands, many of which Kyiv considers equivalent to surrender. Several of those demands appear in a leaked 28-point plan that would require Ukraine to cede territory and accept limits on Western military support.