Vladimir Putin has called on Volodymyr Zelensky to surrender Ukrainian-held territory in the Donetsk region as a condition for ending the ongoing war.
Speaking through Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russia urged Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the Donbas region, insisting that such a move could immediately halt active fighting and save lives. Peskov suggested the decision should be made without delay, stressing that prolonging the conflict would only worsen casualties.
The demand follows claims that Russia had issued Ukraine a deadline to pull out of areas it still controls in Donetsk and Luhansk, or risk facing tougher terms in any future peace agreement.
However, Ukraine has rejected the proposal. President Zelensky has maintained that giving up territory would only embolden Russia and potentially lead to further aggression, either within Ukraine or beyond.
Instead, Kyiv has proposed a ceasefire based on current frontlines, describing it as a compromise that could open the door to diplomatic negotiations.
The war, which began with Russia’s actions in the Donbas region in 2014, has continued to drag on, with Moscow still unable to fully take control of the area. Efforts to broker peace have slowed in recent weeks, partly due to shifting global attention toward tensions in the Middle East.
As both sides hold firm to their positions, the prospect of a quick resolution remains uncertain, with the conflict continuing to pose serious risks for regional and global stability.
