ST PETERSBURG/KYIV (MNN); Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed Moscow’s hardline position on the Ukraine war, claiming Russian forces are making steady gains on the battlefield while insisting that the conflict could end quickly if Kyiv agrees to compromise on peace proposals previously discussed with US President Donald Trump.
Speaking to international media editors on the sidelines of Russia’s annual economic forum in St. Petersburg on Thursday, Putin said Russian troops continue to advance every day and maintain the initiative across the front lines.
At the same time, he stated that diplomatic efforts remain possible and suggested that Trump’s peace proposals could provide a pathway to ending more than four years of war if Ukraine is willing to make concessions.
Putin’s remarks came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy published an open letter calling for a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders to negotiate an end to the conflict. Zelenskiy warned that Ukraine would continue fighting if no political settlement is reached.
The Kremlin confirmed that Putin had been informed about the letter, although officials said he had not yet reviewed its contents in detail. President Trump also welcomed the prospect of a direct meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
Addressing the state of the war, Putin argued that Russia possesses superior manpower, industrial capacity and strategic resilience. He claimed Russian forces had recently driven Ukrainian troops out of nearly 2,500 square kilometres of territory.
The Russian president stated that Moscow now exercises full control over the Luhansk region and controls more than 85 percent of the Donetsk region, as well as around 80 percent of the Zaporizhzhia region. These territories are among the four Ukrainian regions Russia declared annexed in 2022, a move rejected by Kyiv and most Western nations.
Putin dismissed calls for a halt in Russia’s military advance, saying the conflict could instead be ended through compromises discussed during his summit with President Trump in Alaska last year.
His comments appeared to reference Russia’s long-standing demand that Ukraine relinquish the remainder of the eastern Donbas region. Kyiv has consistently rejected such proposals, arguing they would leave the country vulnerable to future attacks and affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents.
While acknowledging that Trump is currently focused on the conflict involving Iran, Putin suggested that European countries could use their influence to encourage Ukraine to accept a negotiated settlement.
The Russian leader said he had informed Trump during previous discussions that Moscow was prepared to end the war through diplomacy and honour agreed compromises.
“We are ready to reach an agreement with Ukraine through peaceful means,” Putin said, adding that any settlement would require both sides to accept mutually agreed concessions.
He expressed hope that the war would eventually end, saying both sides should one day be able to declare that the conflict is finally over.
However, Putin also delivered a warning by referring to Russia’s Oreshnik hypersonic missile system. He said the weapon had not yet been used in full combat conditions against Ukraine and that previous launches were intended to evaluate its performance before wider operational deployment.
The Oreshnik missile, first used in 2024, is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and has a reported range exceeding 5,000 kilometres. Putin reiterated his claim that the missile is extremely difficult to intercept.
When questioned about his political future beyond the end of his current presidential term in 2030, Putin avoided making any commitments, saying his future ultimately rests in God’s hands. While noting that Russia’s constitution would allow him to seek another term and remain in office until 2036, he said it was too early to focus on that issue.
“The country faces many important challenges that require attention today,” Putin said.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy used an open letter to urge Putin to begin direct negotiations aimed at ending the war.
The letter, which was also shared with several countries including the United States, argued that many Russians are increasingly weary of the conflict, citing drone attacks, economic pressures, inflation and fuel shortages.
Zelenskiy said it would be a mistake to delay peace efforts while international attention is focused on developments in Iran.
He proposed that negotiations begin with a comprehensive ceasefire lasting throughout the duration of talks, describing such an arrangement as standard diplomatic practice.
The Ukrainian president also suggested setting a specific date for a summit and proposed neutral venues such as Switzerland, Turkey or Arab countries to host the meeting.
“Do not be afraid to choose the path out of this war,” Zelenskiy wrote.
He stressed that Ukraine remains committed to defending its sovereignty and warned that if Putin does not decide to pursue peace, Kyiv will continue fighting for its survival.
Zelenskiy further suggested that prolonged conflict could eventually create political challenges for the Russian leadership, arguing that Russian society is increasingly feeling the burden of war.
The Kremlin later confirmed receipt of the letter and said President Putin would be fully briefed on its contents.
