PREVIEW

Putin Reasserts Demands: War Ends Only If Ukraine Withdraws From Russia-Claimed Territories. President Vladimir Putin is doubling down on his key conditions for ending the war, insisting Russia will stop fighting only if Ukrainian forces pull back from all territories Moscow claims as its own. That includes Crimea, seized in 2014, and large parts of the Donbas region. Kyiv has flatly rejected any withdrawal, calling it impossible to reward Moscow's aggression. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia continues to "scorn" genuine peace efforts. Speaking during a visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin said Ukraine wants to fight "to the last Ukrainian"—and added Russia is prepared to match that stance. But analysts note Moscow's progress remains slow and costly. The Institute for the Study of War estimates Russia could need nearly two more years to capture the remaining parts of Donetsk. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow next week, and Zelensky says Ukrainian and Zelensky says Ukrainian and U.S. teams will continue shaping the Geneva framework into something that offers real peace and security guarantees. Meanwhile, European leaders remain wary. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen accused Moscow of clinging to a post-WWII mindset that treats European nations as pieces on a map to be divided at will.
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