Putin dismisses Ukraine’s readiness for peace as winter fighting intensifies

Friday 19 December 2025 - 11:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Putin dismisses Ukraine’s readiness for peace as winter fighting intensifies

Russia has cast new doubt on the possibility of peace negotiations with Ukraine as both sides exchange diplomatic gestures amid ongoing clashes on the battlefield.

Renewed tension over talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters in Moscow that Ukraine remains “unwilling” to engage in meaningful peace talks, insisting that Moscow’s conditions for ending the war have long been clear. The comments came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv and its Western partners are working on updated proposals to be presented to Russian representatives in the coming days.

Putin said that Russia stands ready to negotiate on the basis of principles previously outlined by the Kremlin, though he accused Ukraine of lacking “the maturity or consistency” to commit to genuine dialogue. Zelensky, in contrast, said his government is open to diplomacy but will not accept any terms that compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.

Diplomatic exchanges in Miami

As tensions play out in political statements, parallel diplomatic efforts are underway in Miami. Ukrainian officials, led by National Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, met with senior US envoys to refine details of a multi-point peace framework. Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev is expected to meet with the same American mediators over the weekend for updates on related discussions that recently took place in Berlin.

According to US officials, most of the framework’s provisions have been settled between Western partners and Kyiv, but sticking points remain particularly regarding territorial control and Ukraine’s long-term security guarantees. Putin continues to demand that Kyiv withdraw from the entire Donbas region and abandon any future ambitions to join NATO, demands that Zelensky has rejected outright.

Fighting continues through the winter

Despite these diplomatic maneuvers, the fighting shows no sign of waning. Russia continues military operations across several fronts, taking advantage of the harsh winter conditions. Putin has warned that Moscow could further expand its territorial control if peace conditions are not met, while Kyiv accuses Russia of using the guise of negotiations to regroup and prepare new offensives.

President Zelensky reiterated that any agreement must include strict accountability measures and internationally backed guarantees to prevent renewed aggression. “He does not want to end the war,” Zelensky said, referring to Putin. “The question is whether he has the capacity to continue it.”