President Vladimir Putin stated in an interview released on Thursday that Russia would assert complete authority over Ukraine’s Donbas region through military means unless Ukrainian forces retreat, a demand rejected by Kyiv. Putin deployed tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine in February 2022 following eight years of conflict between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that constitute the Donbas.
“Either we regain control of these territories by force or Ukrainian forces vacate these areas,” Putin conveyed to India Today prior to his visit to New Delhi, as shown in a clip on Russian state television. Ukraine has firmly opposed surrendering its own territory to Russia, emphasizing that Moscow should not be rewarded for initiating the war. Currently, approximately 5,000 square kilometers of Donetsk remain under Ukrainian jurisdiction.
Russia presently controls nearly 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea, annexed in 2014, all of Luhansk, over 80% of Donetsk, about 75% of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, and small portions of the Kharkiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. In discussions with the United States regarding a potential peace agreement to conclude the conflict, Russia has consistently insisted on full control over Donbas and informal recognition from the United States.
In 2022, Russia declared Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia as part of its territory following referendums dismissed by the West and Kyiv as illegitimate. Most countries recognize these regions, along with Crimea, as Ukrainian territory. Putin hosted U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin, acknowledging acceptance of certain U.S. proposals on Ukraine, with discussions expected to continue.
Putin refrained from disclosing specific details of Russia’s potential agreements, noting that divulging such information could disrupt the peace process. Tragic incidents of civilian casualties persisted in Ukraine, with missile strikes causing casualties and widespread damage, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn region. Ukrainian energy facilities were targeted in attacks, leaving thousands without power and heating as winter approached. Amid the escalating conflict, efforts to negotiate peace and protect critical infrastructure were emphasized by stakeholders, including Turkey and local authorities.
