Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed his demand for total control over Ukraine’s Donbas region, including major strategic hubs that Russian forces have yet to capture on the battlefield. During a State Council meeting on December 25, Putin pivoted from the scheduled agenda to discuss the status of peace negotiations, signaling that Moscow’s territorial ambitions remain a non-negotiable pillar of any potential settlement with the United States.
According to reports from the Russian outlet Kommersant, Putin detailed recent diplomatic exchanges, specifically referencing discussions held in Anchorage. He claimed that while initial positions were “agreed on the fly,” the U.S. later retracted certain proposals following consultations with European allies. Putin characterized this reversal as a sign of American weakness while maintaining that Russia is prepared to uphold its end of the original framework. Central to this position is the refusal to negotiate over the Kramatorsk-Kostiantynivka-Sloviansk hub, which Putin declared must remain under Russian authority.
The Kremlin leader also revealed that discussions are bypassing Kyiv on several critical fronts. Most notably, he stated that the United States and Russia are in direct talks regarding the joint management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Putin alleged that the U.S. has expressed interest in mining operations at the site and mentioned that electricity supplies to Ukraine are being debated at Washington’s request. When questioned about the local workforce at the plant, Putin noted that the employees remain the same but now hold Russian passports.
This latest stance follows a high-profile meeting between President Donald Trump and Putin that ended without a ceasefire agreement. Although both leaders cited progress during the summit, the lack of a formal deal underscores the deep divide over territorial recognition. Putin has previously stated that hostilities will only cease once Ukrainian forces withdraw from the entirety of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the West legally recognizes Crimea as Russian territory.
