Putin Eyes US-Ukraine Peace Plan as Future Deal Basis Amid Legitimacy Concerns & War Warnings

Putin Eyes US-Ukraine Peace Framework as Basis for Future Agreement Amidst Key Hurdles

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently indicated that a draft peace proposal, developed through discussions between the United States and Ukraine, could serve as a foundational blueprint for future agreements aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Speaking in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, following a summit with leaders from former Soviet republics, Putin conveyed Moscow's general acceptance of the framework as a potential starting point.

Legitimacy and Legal Impediments to a Deal

However, Putin simultaneously underscored significant obstacles, particularly his assertion that the current Ukrainian leadership is illegitimate. This, he argued, creates a legal impediment to signing any deal directly with Kyiv. He stressed the critical importance of any potential agreement receiving international recognition, including the acknowledgment of Russia's territorial gains within Ukraine.

Evolving Peace Proposals and Russia's Conditions

The Russian leader detailed that the initial 28-point US peace plan, which had previously caused apprehension among Ukrainian and European officials due to perceived concessions to Moscow, has now been refined. The updated framework, a product of US-Ukraine talks in Geneva, divides the proposals into four distinct components, a copy of which has been transmitted to Moscow. Putin expressed that the American side appeared to be considering Russia's position.

Despite this openness to diplomatic engagement, Putin issued a stark warning: Russia is fully prepared to continue fighting if its conditions are not met. He explicitly stated that Ukrainian forces must withdraw from currently held territories for fighting to cease. Otherwise, Russia intends to achieve its objectives through armed means. Pro-Ukrainian maps indicate that Russian forces currently control over 19% of Ukraine, having advanced at their fastest pace since 2022 in the past year.

International Diplomacy and Future Steps

In a related development, US President Donald Trump has long expressed a desire to end the conflict, though past efforts, including a summit with Putin in Alaska, have not yielded peace. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is slated to visit Moscow soon. Putin dismissed claims of Witkoff being biased towards Moscow, characterizing him as a patriot defending US interests. Putin also briefly mentioned unexpected US sanctions on Russian oil companies and rejected as "complete nonsense" suggestions that Russia planned to attack Europe, offering formal pledges if desired.