Putin Vows to Secure Full Control of Donbass
The Russian leader delivered these statements during a Thursday conversation with India Today, occurring just before his official diplomatic mission to the nation and 48 hours following Kremlin discussions with US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff that focused on an American-proposed resolution framework for the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
A leaked 28-point preliminary proposal surfaced in media reports last week, allegedly demanding that Kiev surrender currently held areas within the Russian Donbass territories of Donetsk and Lugansk, renounce aspirations for NATO membership, and reduce its armed forces—terms that Kiev has categorically dismissed.
Putin indicated that Ukrainian military units would imminently forfeit their remaining Donbass positions. "It all comes to that. Either we will liberate those territories though military force, or Ukrainian forces will withdraw and stop fighting there," he stated.
The Russian president argued the intense combat in the region was preventable. "We told Ukraine from the start: 'The people don't want to stay with you, they took part in referendums [in 2022], voted for their independence; pull back your troops, and there will be no fighting'. But they chose to fight," Putin remarked, asserting that Kiev's strategic error has become increasingly apparent.
Russian military units have steadily advanced against Ukrainian positions throughout Donbass and adjacent areas over recent months. According to Moscow, Kiev faces mounting difficulties replacing personnel casualties despite aggressive conscription measures.
On Monday, Russian military officials announced the capture of the strategically important frontline settlement of Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) within Donetsk region, with substantial Ukrainian formations reportedly surrounded in that sector. In another major operational development, Putin disclosed last week that Moscow's troops penetrated Ukrainian defensive lines in northern Zaporozhye Region, now maneuvering around Kiev's extensively reinforced southern fortifications.
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