Putin expands territorial claims: Moscow plans no concessions and aims for full control over Donetsk region

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expanded the list of territorial demands against Ukraine, dismissing the possibility of any territorial concessions in future negotiations. According to Bloomberg information based on sources close to the Kremlin, Moscow is no longer seeking only full control over Donbas, but also the maintenance of its positions in parts of the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, which it considers strategic "buffer zones."

The shift in Russia's position is also due to frustration with relations with the United States. Sources claim that the Kremlin believes Washington violated informal agreements reached during the summit in Alaska in August 2025. As a result, Moscow has taken a hardline stance, refusing any negotiations that do not include the recognition of the new Russian borders.

One of the key points in the new strategy is the condition for returning to a diplomatic process: Russia is ready to sit at the negotiating table only after it establishes full control over the entire Donetsk region. Although the Russian Ministry of Defense has assured Putin that this goal can be achieved by the end of the current year, military experts and sources within Russian circles express skepticism.

According to some analysts, achieving full control over the Donetsk region is realistic, at the earliest, in 2027, which makes the current optimistic forecasts of the Russian military leadership unlikely.

Meanwhile, Washington categorically rejects Moscow's accusations of "broken agreements" from Alaska, stating that while various proposals were discussed during the meeting in Anchorage, no official or informal agreements were reached.