Putin Warns Russia May Seize All of Donbas by Force

Moscow’s Position Ahead of India Visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin signalled that Moscow is prepared to seize the remainder of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region by force if Kyiv refuses to withdraw its troops. The remarks, released Thursday in an interview with India Today, come ahead of his visit to New Delhi and underline Russia’s unwavering demand for full control of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Territorial Stakes and Ongoing Conflict

The Donbas — comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk regions — has been at the centre of fighting since 2014 and the broader invasion launched in February 2022. Russia currently occupies all of Luhansk and over 80 per cent of Donetsk. Ukraine maintains control of roughly 5,000 square kilometres in Donetsk and has rejected any proposal requiring it to surrender territory taken by force.

Kyiv’s Firm Rejection of Moscow’s Terms

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly dismissed the idea of conceding land, arguing that rewarding aggression would legitimise Russia’s invasion. Ukrainian officials say Moscow has failed to capture the remaining Donbas areas militarily and has no claim to land internationally recognized as Ukrainian.

US Backchannel Talks Shape the Diplomatic Landscape

Putin also confirmed a recent meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin. He said Russia had accepted portions of U.S. proposals for a potential peace framework but would not reveal details, claiming doing so could “disrupt the working regime” of ongoing discussions. The proposals stem from preliminary conversations between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska in August, according to Russian media.

Divisions Among International Partners

European leaders, who have been largely excluded from these backchannel exchanges, warn that Putin may be feigning interest in negotiations. Moscow continues to insist that the United States informally recognize Russian control over the entirety of Donbas — a demand Washington has not publicly endorsed. In 2022, Russia declared Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia part of its territory after internationally condemned referendums.

Civilian Casualties Rise as Attacks Intensify

Even as diplomatic conversations continue, Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities escalated overnight. In Kryvyi Rih, a ballistic missile injured six people, including a three-year-old girl, and damaged dozens of homes and local infrastructure. In Kherson, a six-year-old girl died after succumbing to injuries from earlier shelling. Local authorities said medical teams “fought until the very end” to save her.

Ukraine’s Energy Grid Under Renewed Pressure

Russian overnight attacks also left tens of thousands without electricity and heat in southern and eastern Ukraine. Odesa’s regional energy operator reported that 51,800 households lost power after an energy facility was struck. Kherson suspended operations at a major heat and power plant after repeated shelling, leaving more than 40,000 residents without heating as winter sets in.

Drone Warfare Extends to Maritime Routes

Ukraine acknowledged responsibility for a drone attack last week on two empty tankers en route to a Russian port, describing the operation as part of its broader effort to disrupt Russia’s oil export routes. However, Kyiv denied any role in a separate incident involving a Russian tanker carrying sunflower oil. Turkey, maintaining ties with both nations, urged both sides to avoid targeting energy infrastructure.

Continued Violence in Occupied Territories

In the Russia-occupied portion of Kherson region, Moscow-installed leader Vladimir Saldo reported that two men were killed Thursday when a Ukrainian drone struck their vehicle. Both sides continue to rely heavily on drone operations as ground fighting remains intense along the front line.

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Europe Accuses Putin of Faking Commitment to Peace

Tensions Surge After U.S.–Russia Meeting in Moscow

Ukraine and its European allies accused Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday of only pretending to pursue peace, a day after U.S. envoys spent five hours in talks at the Kremlin with no breakthrough. The meeting, attended by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, was meant to explore a path toward ending the nearly four-year war triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

European Ministers Challenge Putin’s Motives

European officials rejected the idea that Moscow is moving toward genuine compromise. U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper urged Putin to “end the bluster and the bloodshed” and back a “just and lasting peace.” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Putin of “wasting the world’s time,” underscoring Kyiv’s view that Russia is stalling while continuing its offensive operations.

Competing Narratives Cloud Peace Efforts

On Tuesday, Putin accused European governments of undermining U.S.-led diplomacy and warned that Russia would be ready for war with Europe if provoked. European leaders dispute that claim, noting that they—and the U.S.—have spent billions supporting Ukraine since 2022. Under President Donald Trump, Washington has scaled back some aspects of military support while attempting to accelerate a negotiated settlement.

Stalled Talks Over Territory Remain Key Obstacle

Following Tuesday’s talks, Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said discussions were “positive” but confirmed no compromise had been reached on the fate of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions Russia claims as its own. Ukraine has ruled out surrendering territory. Ushakov said peace is “not further” away but cautioned that major work remains for both Washington and Moscow.

Secrecy Adds Uncertainty to Negotiation Process

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the suggestion that Putin dismissed the U.S. peace proposal leaked last month, which many Europeans criticized as favouring Russian demands. Peskov declined to release details of the meeting, arguing that negotiations are more productive when conducted quietly. The lack of transparency has left allies unsure how far Washington is prepared to pressure either side.

Europe Reinforces Support for Ukraine

Foreign ministers from NATO’s European members, meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, expressed impatience with Russia’s stance. Estonia’s Margus Tsahkna said Putin is “pushing more aggressively on the battlefield,” showing no interest in compromise. Finland’s Elina Valtonen said a full ceasefire would be the most credible sign of Russian goodwill. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that while peace talks continue, Ukraine must remain militarily reinforced to withstand Russian pressure.

Uncertain Road Ahead for Negotiators

With negotiations stalled and positions hardening, the direction of peace efforts now largely depends on U.S. strategy: whether Washington applies more pressure to Moscow, or expects Kyiv to consider concessions it has long rejected. For now, neither side appears ready to shift, leaving Europe, Ukraine, and the United States navigating an uneasy mix of diplomacy and ongoing conflict.

The post Europe Says Putin Is Faking Interest in Peace Talks first appeared on Maple News Wire.

Trump Sets 12-Day Ceasefire Deadline for Russia

In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic pressure, former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a new ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin: agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine within 10 to 12 days, or face severe economic consequences. The announcement came during a news conference in Scotland on Monday, where Trump criticized the lack of progress toward ending the war.

Shortened Timeline Aims to Accelerate Peace

Trump’s revised deadline marks a significant tightening of his earlier demand, which gave Russia 50 days to halt its full-scale invasion. Citing the ongoing missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, Trump declared that “there’s no reason to wait any longer.” He warned that if Russia refuses to comply, sweeping sanctions and secondary tariffs would follow—measures that could economically isolate Moscow and its trading partners.

Zelensky Welcomes Stronger U.S. Position

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the statement, calling Trump’s firm stance “extremely significant.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Zelensky praised the U.S. leader’s “clear stance and determination” to save lives and stop the war. Ukrainian officials, including chief of staff Andriy Yermak, echoed the sentiment, stating that Putin “respects only power.”

Trump Threatens Trade Penalties

Trump reiterated his plan to impose a 100% tariff on countries that continue trading with Russia if no ceasefire is reached. These tariffs would render Russian goods prohibitively expensive, potentially collapsing key trade relationships and further straining Russia’s wartime economy. Trump insisted that this approach would make Russian exports uncompetitive and deter allies from continuing economic cooperation with Moscow.

Kremlin Pushback and Uncertainty in Moscow

The Kremlin has yet to issue a direct response to the shortened deadline. Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the initial 50-day warning “serious” but noted that Russia needed time to analyze it. Russian MP Andrey Gurulyov dismissed Trump’s latest warning, claiming that such ultimatums “don’t work anymore”—neither on the front lines nor in Moscow. He insisted that Russia would rely on its “weapons, principles, and will.”

War Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

The announcement comes amid escalating violence in Ukraine. Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones while pushing forward with its summer offensive in the eastern regions. Despite multiple ceasefire discussions mediated by Turkey, no significant agreements have been reached. Analysts warn that the two nations remain far apart on critical terms. Russia’s demands—including Ukraine’s military neutrality and NATO withdrawal—remain non-negotiable for Kyiv and its Western allies.

Ceasefire Prospects Remain Unclear

With more than three years of war behind them, and a hardened stance on both sides, experts question whether a ceasefire can be achieved in less than two weeks. Still, Trump’s ultimatum has reignited diplomatic discourse and shifted global attention back to the urgency of ending the war. Whether this pressure yields results—or further hardens resistance—will unfold in the days ahead.

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