Putin: Russia prepared to continue fighting until every Ukrainian is dead

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that Moscow is prepared to fight until Ukraine is fully subdued. Speaking during a visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin emphasized that Ukrainian forces must relinquish territory, claiming that Russian military advances are almost unstoppable.

Some demand that fighting continues until the last Ukrainian falls, and Russia is ready for that, Putin stated. He added that if Ukrainian troops withdraw from occupied areas, Russia would halt operations, but if they do not, Moscow will achieve its objectives through military force.

While noting that the latest US-mediated peace proposal could serve as a foundation for future agreements, Putin dismissed the Ukrainian leadership as illegitimate, labeling negotiations with Kyiv as pointless. His statements indicate the Kremlins unwillingness to compromise on maximalist goals, including full control of the Donbas region, which remains a key target for Moscow.

Observers noted that former President Donald Trumps pressure on Ukraine to accept a Russia-friendly settlement may have encouraged Putin to pursue continued military action. Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator in Washington, commented: Putin clearly has no plans to compromise. He believes Ukrainian forces are nearing collapse, so why negotiate if he can achieve victory militarily?

Russia currently controls roughly 20% of Ukraines territory, with disputes over occupied versus unoccupied areas representing a major sticking point in peace discussions. Putin claimed Russian troops had surrounded Ukrainian forces in key Donetsk towns, citing advances toward Vovchansk, Siversk, and Huliaipole. Ukraine denied these encirclements and asserted its troops are still holding the line.

Putin stressed that Russia has no intention of attacking EU countries, but raised concerns about unresolved European security guarantees for Ukraine. US officials have urged a ceasefire prior to discussions on these guarantees, while European leaders are expected to focus on Putins refusal to negotiate with Kyiv in upcoming talks.

The amended US peace plan reportedly removed some controversial points from the earlier 28-point draft, including mandates for Ukraine to cede the Donbas or drastically reduce its military. However, Putins refusal to recognize Zelensky or Ukraines sovereignty makes further negotiations unlikely. Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has faced criticism for perceived pro-Moscow bias, is expected to visit Moscow soon, possibly accompanied by Jared Kushner. Meanwhile, the US has dispatched Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to engage with Ukrainian negotiators.

Zelensky indicated that Ukrainian and US teams would continue building on progress made in Geneva talks. The latest 19-point peace framework, aligned with Kyivs interests, is seen as sufficient to deter Putin from signing a deal.

In a newly released strategic planning document, Putin outlined that residents of occupied Ukrainian regions would be considered Russian subjects, with participation in all-Russian events over the next decade. The document also emphasizes the reunification of historical territories and promotes Russian language, culture, and traditional values in annexed regions, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Security concerns regarding foreign influence, anti-Russian propaganda, and religious tensions are cited as justification for these policies.

The Kremlin aims to present Moscow as a democratic state respecting human rights, despite ranking 150th out of 167 countries in the 2024 Economist Democracy Index.

Analysis: Putin’s Maximalist Approach Leaves Little Room for Negotiation

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent statements in Kyrgyzstan make clear that Moscow is committed to pursuing full military control over Ukraine’s occupied territories. His framing of the conflict as “almost unstoppable” highlights a strategic posture focused on territorial gains rather than compromise, signaling that the Kremlin sees negotiation as secondary to military success.

The dismissal of Ukrainian leadership as illegitimate and the rejection of peace talks with Kyiv underscores Russia’s insistence on maximalist objectives, including complete dominance in Donbas. While the US and European mediators are attempting to advance revised peace proposals, Putin’s public remarks suggest these efforts are unlikely to yield meaningful concessions, given Moscow’s framing of occupied regions as permanently integrated into Russia.

On the ground, Russian claims of encirclement in Donetsk towns are contested by Ukrainian forces, illustrating the continuing uncertainty over frontline dynamics. Meanwhile, strategic documents reveal long-term plans for integrating occupied territories into Russian political, cultural, and educational systems, reinforcing the Kremlin’s narrative of reunification and national consolidation.

Overall, the statements reflect a calculated approach by Moscow to combine military pressure with political and cultural consolidation. Unless significant shifts occur in Ukrainian defense capacity or international pressure, Russia appears poised to maintain its current trajectory, limiting the prospects for a negotiated settlement in the near term.

Sources:

• Putin: Russia ready to fight until last Ukrainian dies