IRIA News

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Russian President Vladimir Putin made clear that Moscow will not compromise on its territorial demands in Ukraine, despite intensifying diplomatic efforts led by the United States to broker a peace deal.

Speaking at the annual meeting of Russia’s Defense Ministry on December 17, 2025, Putin warned that Russia would continue using military force to seize territory if diplomacy fails, directly challenging the premise of ongoing negotiations.

“We would prefer to do this and eliminate the root causes of the conflict through diplomacy,” Putin said. “If the opposing country and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands through military means.”

His remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped up efforts to push all sides toward a negotiated settlement, claiming earlier this week that “we’re closer now than we have been.” However, Putin’s speech underscored the widening gap between Washington’s optimism and Moscow’s hardened position, particularly on the question of territory.

Territory Remains Central Obstacle in Talks

The status of occupied Ukrainian territory remains the most intractable issue in the peace talks, alongside demands for long-term security guarantees for Kyiv. Russia has illegally annexed parts of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region but has not fully conquered it.

According to an assessment by the Institute for the Study of War, Russia’s current pace of advance would not allow it to seize the entire region until August 2027.

Ukraine, on the other hand, also rejected any concession of territory. On Monday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that Kyiv would not recognize the temporarily occupied parts of Donbas as legally or de facto Russian. Responding indirectly to Putin’s invocation of “historical lands,” Zelenskyy warned that such language poses a broader threat to Europe.

“There are other countries in Europe that someone in Russia may one day call their ‘historical lands,’” Zelenskyy said. “We need real protection from this Russian history of madness.”

The competing positions highlight the core dilemma facing negotiators: while Russia insists that territorial concessions are non-negotiable, Ukraine and its European allies view such demands as a dangerous precedent that undermines European security as a whole.

US Engagement and European Skepticism

Putin sought to draw a clear distinction between Russia’s engagement with Washington and its relationship with European capitals. He said Moscow is “engaged in a dialogue with the U.S.,” and signaled cautious openness toward American-led diplomacy. At the same time, he dismissed the prospect of meaningful engagement with Europe under the current leadership.

“I hope the same will happen with Europe,” Putin said. “It is unlikely that this is possible with the current political elites, but in any case, it will be inevitable as we continue to strengthen. If not with the current politicians, then when the current elites in Europe change.”

European leaders, for their part, remain deeply skeptical of Moscow’s intentions. While supporting U.S. diplomatic efforts, they have emphasized the need for robust security guarantees for Ukraine and have warned against any agreement that rewards Russian aggression.

Putin’s comments came ahead of a key summit in Brussels, where European leaders are debating new mechanisms to fund Ukraine’s defense, including the possible use of frozen Russian assets or additional joint borrowing.

Europe Debates Funding Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the European Parliament on Wednesday, stressing that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security and remain committed to supporting Ukraine.

“There is no more important act of European defense than supporting Ukraine’s defense,” von der Leyen said. The next [few] days will be a crucial step for securing this. It’s up to us to choose how we fund Ukraine’s fight.”

Two proposals are currently under discussion among EU members: one that would channel proceeds from frozen Russian assets toward Ukraine, and another based on borrowing to sustain long-term military and financial assistance. The debate reflects growing concern in Europe that any weakening of support could embolden Moscow at a critical stage of the war.

Harsh Rhetoric Toward the West

Putin’s speech also featured unusually harsh language directed at Ukraine’s Western backers. He blamed the West for the war and accused European leaders of seeking to profit from Russia’s downfall.

“European swine wanted to feast on the collapse of Russia,” he said, using the term “podsvinki,” a slur previously employed by senior Russian officials. He also accused the previous U.S. administration of Joe Biden of “initiating” the conflict, claiming that Washington’s European allies had eagerly joined those efforts.

“Immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it seemed to us that we would quickly become members of the so-called civilized family of European nations,” Putin said. “Today it turns out there is no civilization there, only complete degradation.”

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has consistently rejected accusations of aggression, instead portraying the war as a defensive response to Western actions.

‘Root Causes’ and Justifications for War

Putin reiterated long-standing Kremlin claims about the so-called “root causes” of the conflict, including Ukraine’s aspirations to join the EU and NATO, alleged violations of promises not to expand NATO eastward, discrimination against ethnic Russians, and what he described as the “denazification” of Ukraine.

Russian officials have repeatedly used these arguments to justify the invasion, though no evidence has been presented to substantiate the claims. With Putin again insisting on achieving these objectives, analysts say the likelihood of a near-term ceasefire remains low.

Military Gains and Battlefield Claims

Addressing senior military officers, Putin claimed that 2025 marked “an important stage” in achieving the objectives of what Moscow calls its “special military operation.” He said Russian forces have seized and now “firmly” hold the strategic initiative along the entire front line.

“The Russian Armed Forces have liberated over 300 settlements this year,” Putin said.

He added that Russian troops continue to advance despite extensive Western military assistance to Ukraine, including advanced weapons and training programs. According to Putin, Russian forces are “grinding down the opponent, including its elite units trained in Western military centers,” and retain the capacity to accelerate offensives in key directions if required.

Nuclear Signals and Military Modernization

Putin also used the speech to emphasize Russia’s military modernization, with particular focus on its nuclear forces. He claimed that 92 percent of Russia’s nuclear arsenal is now modernized, asserting that no other nuclear power can match this level.

“We are developing new weapons and new means of destruction,” he said. “No one else in the world has them, and they will not appear anytime soon.”

He specifically highlighted the nuclear-capable intermediate-range Oreshnik ballistic missile, saying it will officially enter combat duty by the end of the year. Russia first tested a conventionally armed version of the missile in November 2024 during a strike on a Ukrainian facility in Dnipro, and Putin has repeatedly claimed it is impossible to intercept.

In addition, Putin said Russia’s navy was expanded in 2025 with new submarines and 19 surface ships, and that systems such as the nuclear-propelled Burevestnik and Poseidon have been deployed following successful tests.

Peace Prospects Remain Uncertain

Despite Trump’s public confidence about progress toward peace, Putin’s speech suggested that Moscow is prepared for a prolonged conflict if its demands are not met. While signaling openness to dialogue with Washington, he left little doubt that Russia intends to press its military campaign until it secures what it considers its strategic and territorial objectives.

As diplomatic efforts continue in parallel with fighting on the ground, Putin’s remarks reinforced a central reality confronting negotiators: any peace deal will have to bridge fundamentally incompatible visions of Ukraine’s future, Europe’s security order, and Russia’s role within it.