putin Signals Openness to Trump‘s Ukraine Plan, Issues Stark Warning of Escalation
Moscow – Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated Friday that a 28-point peace plan reportedly proposed by the United States could “serve as a basis for a definitive peaceful settlement” to the conflict in Ukraine, but together threatened further military action if Kyiv rejects the proposals. The statement places increased pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he navigates a potential shift in international mediation efforts.
Putin stated the plan, details of which have been reported by Le Monde, has not been discussed with Russia in a “concrete way,” despite preliminary talks with Washington.”We are ready to conduct peaceful negotiations and resolve issues through peaceful means. Though,this of course requires a thorough discussion of all the details of the proposed plan. We are ready for it,” Putin said during a televised government meeting.
According to the Russian president, initial discussions with the U.S. involved requests for Russia to “make certain compromises, show flexibility.” However, Putin warned that if Ukraine and its European allies continue to pursue a “strategic defeat” of Russia on the battlefield, Moscow is prepared to achieve its objectives “by arms, as part of an armed struggle.”
“Ukraine and its European allies are still deluding themselves and dreaming of inflicting a strategic defeat on russia on the battlefield,” Putin asserted. He specifically referenced recent gains by Russian forces in Kupiansk, stating, “If kyiv is unwilling to discuss President Trump’s proposals and refuses to do so, then kyiv and European warmongers must understand that the events that occurred in Kupiansk will inevitably repeat themselves on other key sectors of the front.”
The statement underscores a willingness to engage in diplomacy, contingent on kyiv’s acceptance of terms that could considerably alter the trajectory of the nearly two-year-old war. The 28-point plan has already drawn concern from Ukrainian officials, who fear it may concede territory or compromise national sovereignty.
