Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that Moscow is prepared to “fight to the last Ukrainian” if the government of Ukraine does not comply with territorial demands. His remarks came amid growing anticipation of a dedicated United States that will be traveling to Moscow to present and discuss a proposed framework for ending the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Putin delivered his statements at a press conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, following a bilateral meeting with local officials on 28 November 2025. He emphasized that no formal peace agreement exists between Russia and Ukraine, describing ongoing discussions as preliminary, with only a list of issues identified for future negotiations rather than a finalized draft treaty.
The Russian leader asserted that any agreement with Kyiv is meaningless because the Ukrainian government does not have legitimacy. He noted that negotiations require Ukraine to withdraw military forces from territories claimed by Russia before any ceasefire or formal settlement could be considered, thereby underscoring his uncompromising position.
Note that the reiterated demands of the Russian government include recognition of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk as Russian territories, as well as additional areas in eastern and southern Ukraine. Putin guaranteed that military operations will continue until Ukrainian forces leave these regions, framing withdrawal as a prerequisite for halting armed actions.
The remarks appeared to anticipate the arrival of the U.S. delegation in Moscow during the last week of November to the first week of December 2025. This delegation is expected to discuss the latest peace proposal from the Trump administration, which Russia has described as a potential basis for negotiations without obligating Moscow to immediate concessions.
Putin characterized recent front-line developments as favorable for Russian forces. He suggested that military progress underlines the preparedness of the Russian armed forces to pursue objectives indefinitely. This is indicative of the fact that Moscow will not compromise on strategic demands despite international pressure to negotiate a ceasefire or peaceful resolution.
The recent declarations of Putin could be regarded as one of the strongest public threats since the escalation of the conflict. He has framed the continued fighting as contingent upon the refusal of Ukraine to meet territorial and troop withdrawal requirements. The declaration underscores the intent of his government to pursue maximalist goals over compromises.
In summary, during a press conference in Kyrgyzstan, Putin demanded that Ukrainian troops withdraw from all territories that Moscow claims before any ceasefire or peace deal. He insisted that any negotiations must include official recognition of Russian control over contested regions. Until these demands are met, Russia will not agree to any ceasefire or peace deal.
Photo Credit: Official Website of the President of Russia / Vladimir Putin meets the Russian press in Bishkek, November 2025 / 2025 / Adapted / CC BY-SA 4.0 International