Putin Insists on Own Terms for Peace, Vows 2026 Donbas Capture

Russian President Vladimir Putin remains willing to end the war against Ukraine only on his own terms and entered Saturday’s talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner convinced Russian forces will capture the entire Donbas by late 2026, according to Reuters and Bloomberg. A source close to the Kremlin ruled out any frontline compromise until the rest of Donetsk is seized, as Moscow hardens its demands amid perceived military momentum. Western analysts view this timeline as improbable, while Kyiv categorically rejects territorial concessions as capitulation.