Putin Demands Kyiv Withdraw From Eastern Ukraine and Promises Not to Attack Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin has set out a new ultimatum for ending the war, insisting that Putin demands Kyiv withdraw from Eastern Ukraine and promises not to attack Europe in exchange for what he calls a “guarantee of peace.” Speaking during a regional summit, he stated that Ukrainian forces must leave all territories currently occupied by Russia before any ceasefire can be considered valid.

Under these conditions, Putin demands Kyiv withdraw from Eastern Ukraine and promises not to attack Europe, offering what he framed as a written commitment assuring European governments that Russia has no intention of expanding the conflict beyond Ukraine. He portrayed this document as a gesture toward European public concern, though several EU officials argue the offer lacks credibility given Russia’s ongoing mobilization and long-range missile deployments.

Ukrainian leadership, along with the US and EU, rejects these terms. They note that Putin demands Kyiv withdraw from Eastern Ukraine and promises not to attack Europe while simultaneously refusing direct negotiations with Kyiv. Instead, the Kremlin leader continues calling Ukraine’s government “illegitimate” and says meaningful discussions can only take place with Washington. This approach sidesteps Ukraine’s sovereignty and contradicts the diplomatic framework supported by Western allies.

Behind the scenes, technical discussions between the US and Ukrainian teams continue. Former US President Donald Trump has signalled willingness to host talks involving both sides, though Moscow has not accepted the proposal. Reports indicate that Trump’s informal envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow for additional consultations, a move widely scrutinized in Washington and Brussels.

For European policymakers, the fact that Putin demands Kyiv withdraw from Eastern Ukraine and promises not to attack Europe mirrors past Russian positioning: maximum territorial demands paired with assurances that broader military action is off the table. Analysts point out that similar statements were issued before both the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 full-scale invasion.

The latest demands reinforce the divide between Moscow and Western partners over the sequencing of any peace agreement. Ukraine maintains that the withdrawal of Russian troops, not the Ukrainian retreat, must be the starting point.