Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow is ready to make concessions on President Donald Trump’s peace proposal, but warned that Ukraine must also show flexibility if the war is to end.
Speaking to foreign media editors on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, Putin maintained a hardline stance on the Ukraine war while also saying a negotiated peace remained possible.
Putin said Russia was prepared to reach a peaceful agreement with Ukraine based on the proposals discussed during his meeting with President Trump in Anchorage last year.
“We are certainly prepared and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine through peaceful means,” Putin said, adding that Russia agreed to the compromises discussed with Trump.
He said Ukraine must also accept those compromises for the conflict to “quickly come to a natural conclusion.”
Putin added that if the war ended, both sides could say: “Thank goodness it’s all over.”
Russian forces advancing, Putin claims
Putin said Russian troops were advancing daily and claimed Moscow now had full control of the entire Luhansk region.
He also said Russia controlled more than 85% of Donetsk and 80% of Zaporizhzhia, referring to Ukrainian regions Moscow claimed as its own in 2022 — a move rejected by Kyiv and most Western countries as illegal.
Despite claiming gains in Donbas, Putin said a peace agreement was still possible.
However, he suggested Kyiv would have to accept compromises, including issues linked to the Donbas region, where Moscow has demanded Ukraine surrender remaining territory.
Zelensky proposes direct meeting with Putin
Putin’s remarks came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky published an open letter proposing a direct meeting with the Russian leader to agree on an end to the war.
Zelensky warned that Ukraine was ready to continue fighting if Russia refused to end the conflict.
Putin’s spokesman said the Kremlin chief was aware of the letter but had not yet reviewed it in detail. President Trump said it would be “great” if Putin and Zelensky met.
Trump trying sincerely to end war, says Putin
Putin praised Trump’s efforts, saying the US president was sincerely trying to resolve the Ukraine crisis. He said Trump was currently occupied with the Iran conflict but suggested the European Union could use its influence to persuade Kyiv to accept compromises.
Putin also expressed hope that the United States and Iran would reach an agreement, saying Russia wanted the Iran conflict to end as soon as possible.
The war is now in its fifth year and remains Europe’s deadliest land conflict since World War Two. Putin said Russia had the advantage in manpower, industrial resources and willpower, claiming that Russian forces had recently pushed Ukrainian troops out of nearly 2,500 kilometres of territory.
However, some Western and Ukrainian military analysts say Russia’s advance has slowed significantly and that Moscow remains far from achieving its stated military goals.
Russia to strengthen air defences
Putin admitted that Russia needed to improve its air defence systems as Ukrainian drones continued to reach Russian territory. He said Ukrainian drone attacks had exposed areas where Moscow needed to strengthen its protection.
The Russian president also issued a warning over the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, saying Moscow had not yet used it against Ukraine in real combat conditions.
He said Russia had only test-fired the missile to study its results before deciding on future large-scale use, including against urban targets.
The Oreshnik, first fired by Russia against Ukraine in 2024, is a nuclear-capable missile with a range of more than 5,000 kilometres. Putin has previously claimed it cannot be intercepted, though Western experts have questioned that claim.
Russia-China military cooperation to continue
Putin also spoke about Moscow’s ties with Beijing, saying Russia and China shared friendly relations and their interests were in harmony. He said military cooperation between Russia and China had always existed and would continue in the future.
Putin insisted the partnership was not directed against any country, saying both powers were working for mutual interests.
Comments on Pakistan
During the media interaction, Putin also responded to an Indian journalist in remarks that reportedly left the journalist speechless. He described Pakistan as a big country and said it was not under anyone’s control.
Asked by Reuters about his political future beyond his current term, which ends in 2030, Putin avoided a direct answer. He said his health was in God’s hands and added that Russia’s constitution allowed him to run again in 2030 and serve until 2036 if he won.
However, Putin said it was too early to think about another election.
“The country faces a lot of large-scale and pressing issues,” he said. “They need to be solved without thinking about it, but thinking about the future of Russia.”
