\n Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a US plan to end the war in Ukraine could \u201cform the basis for future agreements\u201d but renewed threats to seize more territory by force unless Kyiv withdraws.\n <\/p>\n
\n Speaking to reporters in Bishtek, in the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, Putin confirmed the Kremlin was expecting a US delegation headed by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to visit Moscow early next week, adding that the Kremlin was ready for \u201cserious discussion\u201d.\n <\/p>\n
\n But chances of a swift breakthrough appear slim after Putin repeated his maximalist demands, saying the war in Ukraine will only end \u201conce Ukrainian troops withdraw from the territories they occupy.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cIf they don\u2019t withdraw, we will achieve this through military means,\u201d the Russian leader said.\n <\/p>\n
\n Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his delegation will also meet with US officials by the end of this week to discuss points set out in Geneva. Speaking in his nightly video address, Zelensky added that next week will see \u201cimportant negotiations not only for our delegation, but also for me personally,\u201d without providing further details.\n <\/p>\n
\n Russia is occupying some 20% of the territory recognized under international law as part of sovereign Ukraine, including almost all of the Luhansk region, and parts of the Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.\n <\/p>\n
\n Moscow is demanding Ukraine surrender the entirety of these four regions, which it has annexed but not fully conquered.\n <\/p>\n
\n Russia has made some gains along the eastern Ukrainian frontline in recent weeks, most significantly around the city of Pokrovsk<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n Still, the Institute for the Study of War, a US-based conflict monitor, said on Thursday that data on Russian forces\u2019 rate of advance indicates that \u201ca Russian military victory in Ukraine is not inevitable, and a rapid Russian seizure of the rest of Donetsk Oblast is not imminent.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Crucially, the area Russia is demanding includes the \u201cfortress belt\u201d of heavily defended towns and cities seen that are seen as vital for Ukrainian security. Kyiv and its European allies have made it clear that territorial concessions are a red line for them.\n <\/p>\n \n Putin\u2019s remarks on Thursday were the strongest indication that Russia is not willing to move after US officials<\/a>, including Trump himself, touted \u201ctremendous progress\u201d being made on their efforts to end the war.\n <\/p>\n \n This came after Ukrainian and European officials strongly opposed and then revised the 28-point peace plan<\/a> which was drafted by the US with apparent strong input from Russia.\n <\/p>\n \n The original plan reflected Russia\u2019s extensive wishlist, and included a demand for Ukraine to reduce its army and be barred from joining NATO.\n <\/p>\n