Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that recent American proposals to end the war in Ukraine could serve as a foundation for serious negotiations, marking a significant moment in the prolonged conflict.
Russia's Demands for a Ceasefire
Speaking to journalists in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Thursday, 27 November 2025, following a summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), Putin laid out his conditions for peace. He demanded that Ukrainian forces completely withdraw from the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia regions, which Russia claims to have annexed. He warned that failure to comply would result in continued military action.
Furthermore, the Russian leader reiterated a long-standing Kremlin red line, insisting that Ukraine must not join NATO and must pledge not to host any Western military troops on its soil.
Diplomatic Movements and International Response
The comments come amid a flurry of diplomatic activity. A US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to travel to Moscow next week to continue discussions. This follows recent talks involving US, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives that took place in the United Arab Emirates.
On the Ukrainian side, President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly found the US President's peace plan to be 'workable', even though several critical issues remain unresolved. The US President has personally described envoy Witkoff's role as that of a 'dealmaker', underscoring the high stakes of the upcoming negotiations.
Putin's characterisation of the US proposals as a 'starting point' suggests a potential, though cautious, opening for a negotiated settlement to the devastating war.
