Putin Welcomes U.S. Peace Proposal, Ukraine Faces Withdrawal Ultimatum/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged a U.S. peace proposal as a potential basis for negotiation but demanded Ukraine withdraw troops from occupied areas. The Kremlin warned of continued military action if Ukraine does not comply. Meanwhile, Russia escalates diplomatic tensions with Europe and drone attacks intensify across Ukraine.
Quick Look:
- Putin labels Trump’s peace proposal a potential negotiation framework.
- Russia demands full Ukrainian military withdrawal from contested regions.
- European leaders seek greater involvement in peace talks.
- Diplomatic rift deepens with Russia shutting down a Polish consulate.
- Drone strikes and military action continue across Ukraine.
- Ukraine receives new IMF funding but faces a long-term financial gap.
Putin Calls U.S. Peace Plan a Basis for Talks, Demands Ukraine Withdraw Troops: Deep Look
Moscow signals conditional openness to peace
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday described the latest U.S. proposal to end the war in Ukraine as a possible “starting point” for negotiations, but he tied any halt in hostilities to a full Ukrainian military withdrawal from all contested territories. Speaking at the end of a diplomatic visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin emphasized that “every word matters” in the peace process, while making it clear that Russia is prepared to use force if Ukraine refuses.
“If Ukrainian troops withdraw from the territories they occupy, hostilities will cease,” Putin said. “If they don’t, we will achieve this by force.”
Putin’s comments mark one of the few times the Kremlin has publicly engaged with recent U.S. efforts to broker peace. He framed President Donald Trump’s peace initiative not as a complete agreement, but a discussion framework. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow next week to continue negotiations, and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll may travel to Kyiv for parallel talks.
Putin’s Conditions Echo Earlier Demands
Putin repeated long-standing conditions, including full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia regions — even those not currently under Russian control. He also insisted on keeping Ukraine out of NATO and preventing any Western troop presence in the country. These demands mirror Russia’s broader objective of reasserting control over Ukraine’s foreign policy and geopolitical orientation.
Kremlin critics argue the Russian leader is simply stalling for time while his military tries to seize more territory. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, questioned Moscow’s claims of “unstoppable” battlefield momentum, noting that recent Russian advances have been limited and opportunistic.
Europe Responds to Escalating Tensions
European leaders, wary of being sidelined in U.S.-led negotiations, are pushing for greater involvement in shaping any eventual peace agreement. Many believe Putin is attempting to outlast Western support for Ukraine, betting on political fatigue and rising domestic costs to force concessions.
Meanwhile, diplomatic friction between Russia and Europe has worsened. On Thursday, Moscow ordered the closure of Poland’s Consulate General in Irkutsk in response to Warsaw’s decision earlier this month to shut down Russia’s consulate in Gdansk. The original closure followed the sabotage of a railway near Warsaw, which Polish officials blame on suspected Ukrainian agents acting for Russia.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the move a necessary response, saying it would not let “such actions go unanswered.”
Drone Warfare and Attacks Continue
As diplomatic and political maneuvering intensifies, so does military activity. Ukraine’s northern Sumy region reported the death of a 53-year-old man in a Russian drone strike. Simultaneously, drone attacks on Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk injured three people and started several fires.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 142 drones overnight, while Russia claimed it had shot down 118 Ukrainian drones over its territory and the Black Sea.
Ukraine Faces Pressure on Multiple Fronts
On top of ongoing military pressure, Ukraine’s government is also struggling with domestic issues, including a corruption scandal and deepening financial strain. The International Monetary Fund announced a new $8.1 billion support package over four years, aimed at stabilizing Ukraine’s medium-term fiscal needs.
Still, Kyiv’s projected budget and defense requirements for 2026 and 2027 exceed $150 billion — a figure far beyond current commitments from Western allies or financial institutions.
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