Putin signals conditional support for Trump's 28-point Ukraine peace plan but warns Russia is prepared to fight indefinitely, demanding demilitarization and territorial concessions.
Sseema Giill
Russian President [Vladimir Putin] has offered his most direct response yet to the Trump administration's 28-point peace proposal, stating on November 21, 2025, that the plan "could form the basis for a final peace settlement." However, in a televised security council address, Putin simultaneously warned that Ukraine and its allies are harboring "illusions" of defeating Russia and declared that Moscow remains "content to continue military operations" indefinitely. This dual messaging positions Putin as the ultimate gatekeeper of any ceasefire, leveraging Russia's current battlefield advantage to demand maximalist terms.
The Trump administration's proposal, unveiled mid-November, outlines significant concessions for Ukraine, including ceding [Crimea] and parts of the Donbas, abandoning NATO ambitions, and accepting neutrality. While Ukraine has grudgingly agreed to "core terms" following intense pressure and secret talks in Geneva, Russia has maintained strategic ambiguity. Putin's comments come as his forces continue to advance in eastern Ukraine, and just days before Trump envoy [Steve Witkoff] is scheduled to visit Moscow to finalize the framework. The Kremlin's strategy appears to be maximizing territorial gains before locking them in with a favorable deal.
While the headlines focus on "progress" and "talks," the deeper story is the "Negotiating Asymmetry." This isn't a meeting of equals; it's a dictation of terms. Putin's statement that he is "content" to keep fighting reveals the fundamental imbalance: Russia can sustain the war, Ukraine cannot. The proposed deal reflects this reality, effectively freezing the conflict on Russian terms. By demanding Ukraine's demilitarization and neutrality, Putin isn't just seeking peace; he is engineering a future where Ukraine remains permanently vulnerable to Russian influence, ensuring that this "settlement" is merely a strategic pause, not a definitive end to his ambitions.
If Putin accepts the deal on these terms, it validates the use of force to redraw borders in the 21st century. For Ukraine, it means trading land for survival, but without the security guarantee of NATO membership. For Europe, it signals the failure of the sanctions regime to force a Russian retreat. The deal would likely lift major sanctions on Russia, reintegrating its energy and commodities into global markets, but at the cost of fracturing the Western security architecture that has held since the Cold War.
If a peace deal leaves the aggressor with more territory, a stronger military position, and relief from sanctions, is it really a "settlement," or just a surrender by another name?
Will Putin accept Trump's Ukraine peace plan? Putin has stated the plan could form the "basis" for a settlement but has not fully accepted it. He has attached conditions, including Ukraine's demilitarization and neutrality, and emphasized that Russia is prepared to continue fighting if its terms are not met.
What are Putin's conditions for peace in Ukraine? Putin's conditions reportedly include the recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea and the Donbas (including parts not currently occupied), Ukraine's permanent neutrality (no NATO), and the lifting of Western sanctions. He also demands that Ukraine not rearm during any ceasefire.
Can Ukraine negotiate better terms than proposed? It is unlikely. Analysts note a significant "negotiating asymmetry" where Russia has the military advantage and is willing to fight indefinitely, while Ukraine is facing donor fatigue and battlefield losses, forcing Kyiv to negotiate from a position of weakness.
What happens if Putin rejects the peace deal? If Putin rejects the deal, the war will likely continue with Russia maintaining its current offensive. The Trump administration may then face a choice between escalating aid to force Russia back to the table or withdrawing support, potentially leading to a Ukrainian collapse.
How long before a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire begins? While talks are accelerating with Zelenskyy's planned visit to Washington and Witkoff's trip to Moscow in late November 2025, no ceasefire date has been set. Implementation depends on resolving critical details regarding territorial boundaries and security guarantees.
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