Putin says Russia is ready to fight ‘until last Ukrainian dies’ - The Telegraph

Russia is prepared to continue the war in Ukraine “until the last Ukrainian dies”, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday during a visit to Kyrgyzstan, signaling Moscow’s unwillingness to soften its demands in ongoing peace discussions.

The Telegraph reports Putin claimed Ukrainian forces must withdraw from all occupied territories for combat to stop, warning that otherwise Russia would “achieve it by military means.” He also insisted that the Russian offensive was “impossible to hold back”, boasting of battlefield advances in Donetsk and along several fronts - claims Ukraine denies.

While saying a revised US peace proposal could serve as a basis for future talks, Putin simultaneously dismissed Ukraine’s leadership as illegitimate, calling any agreement with Kyiv “senseless”. His stance suggests the Kremlin is sticking to maximalist demands, including Ukraine surrendering the entire Donbas.

Western officials say pressure on Kyiv to accept a Russia-friendly deal has emboldened Moscow. With Russia controlling about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, the status of occupied areas remains a key obstacle to negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said US and Ukrainian negotiators would continue talks this week, aiming to build on recent progress made in Geneva.