Putin says eastern Ukraine is historically Russian land
Moscow's demand for the rest of Donbas has not changed, and the remark does not change it either.
Published
Putin said of eastern Ukraine: "That's historically Russian land." The remark restates the annexation logic behind Moscow's demand for the rest of Donbas. That demand has outlasted every diesel deal, asset dispute and trilateral scheduling step discussed this month.
The Kremlin has said new Russia-US-Ukraine talks may be held in Abu Dhabi. A US official said Russia accepted the US proposal for a trilateral meeting with Ukraine. The US has accepted a technical-level meeting with Russia and Ukraine. Zelenskiy said he supports the US proposal for trilateral talks at the level of negotiators. Trump has said Putin and Zelenskiy do not have to be in the same room to sign a peace deal. A German government spokesperson said contacts with Washington suggest American interest in a negotiation process.
On October 12, Witkoff and Kushner told Kyiv directly that Putin is unwilling to negotiate and that Moscow's precondition remains securing the rest of Donbas.
Statements like this have repeatedly come alongside Kremlin offers to negotiate. This one adds hardening in tone rather than a new battlefield or diplomatic fact.
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